12/21/2024 – Prologue – Until recently, I have experienced my spiritual learning and thinking in two ways 1) Sin, Atonement and Salvation and 2) Creative, Incarnational and Shepherding. The former was the more dominant and the latter seemed more of an after-thought. The lesson enveloped in [Gal. 6:2] was the final clarification for me. We are saved by Jesus so that we may know, love, and serve God. We must recall that Jesus gave us only two commandments: love God, love neighbor. It follows from that love that we serve them as well. Thus, for me, the preferred pastoral practice would be to teach 1 and 2 above with equal time and fervor.
In contemplating the above paragraph, the word Incarnational seemed the dominant thought. Of course, Christmas will be with us in four days. Therefore, we will forgo Peter this week and talk about the meaning of Christmas. What does it mean theologically, what it means personally and telling our favorite Christmas story.
Incarnation means that Jesus became flesh. Mary conceived when visited by the Holy Spirit and was delivered in a stable in Bethlehem. In those days the stable was a cave or part of a house, situated on the first floor; the manger, separated the animals from the people, who generally lived on the second floor. Mary was attended by her husband. A few shepherds were nearby tending their flocks. Societally they were among the lowest of the low. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and calmed them by saying, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy for all the people.” They then agreed to go to Bethlehem to see this thing that has happened. [Luke 2:9] Note: The Magi who were seeking the new King of the Jews did not find him until two years after His birth. They found him in a house and we do not know if it was the same place where He was born.
Jesus fulfilled God’s promise when he became flesh, He became human, yet He remained God and thus possessing two natures. In other words, Jesus’ incarnation is an act of addition, not substitution, Jesus retained His deity, adding a second nature, humanity. In His life, His public ministry, He reveals God’s nature by exhibiting the fruits of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Jesus’ teachings show God as accessible and relatable with a desire for reconciliation and living according to God’s will. [John 14:9] What is significant about Jesus becoming flesh is that it validates creation, the garden, showing that creation was not flawed. In fact, the creation of Adam and Eve was ‘very good’. Note: Jesus did not inherit Adam’s sin. Further, with Jesus becoming flesh He pays a great compliment to our human form. All of this is a precursor to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. [1 Cor. 12:13] Both of these facts should give us cause to ponder how we treat our bodies: tattoos, piercings, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, gluttony, promiscuity, and recklessness.
Jesus’ birth (incarnate) is the central event of all of human history: not conception, not baptism, not message, not death, not resurrection, not ascension. Jesus’ birth was beyond historical, it was salvational! Jesus, spotless at birth, became man to take away the sins of the world. What lessons should we derive about His birth and life. There are many, but perhaps the most significant after His birth is His salvific death and resurrection which forgave our sins and removed the barrier between God and the people. [2 Cor. 5:18] The result of this is that it brings us peace and assurance of God’s unwavering love with a certainty of life beyond earthly existence.
Thus, the next question we all might ask is: What does this mean to me? Perhaps it is to remind ourselves in all humility that we are saved by grace through faith. We cannot save ourselves from eternal death and corruption by our own strength. We must realize that now we become a new creation when Jesus enters our lives. [2 Cor. 5:7] From that we have the ability to reflect the character of Jesus. We have the ability to relate the twin miracles of Jesus’ birth and Jesus’ defeat of death.
What gifts do we bring to Jesus for the gifts He has delivered to us? AMEN
Love, hank
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