In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

John 1:1-3 (ESV)

 

In the prologue to his gospel, the Apostle John tells us that God speaks to us through His Word. This Word existed with the Father before the world began. The Word is both distinct and identical to God. The Word is both the Creator and the reason as to why creation existed and continues to exist. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us in the fullness of time to reconcile us to God.

We will never understand how God became a human baby in Mary's womb; it is beyond our comprehension. The Incarnation is the incredible act of God becoming man. Even though He is God, Jesus took our humanity and empathised with our human circumstances and experiences.

God initiated His grand plan of our salvation in Christ through the Incarnation. This is why Jesus took on flesh and dwelt among us. God saves us by becoming one with us. Our sins keep us from God, but they do not keep God from us God in Christ came for us, lived with us, and ultimately died on the cross in our place.

Everyone dies in Adam, but everyone lives in Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:21-22). Everyone is reconciled to God through Christ, but not everyone believes it (Romans 5:6-11). They are to receive God’s generous gift of salvation by grace through faith. This is why God has called us to be messengers or ministers of reconciliation, so that everyone can know God's love and live a new life of peace with God.

Christmas is more than songs and carols about a baby in a straw-filled manger. The season serves as a powerful reminder that by the supernatural act of the Holy Spirit, the eternal Son of God became the incarnate Word and was made flesh in the womb of a virgin. The profound depth of God's love is revealed in Christ’s willingness to enter our fallen and broken world by becoming one of us and be with us.