07 December 2025 - Martin McCrory - Born the Son of God

Devotional

Day 1: The virgin birth proclaims God with us.

Remember that the child in the manger is not a mere symbol but the very Son of God who took on human flesh through Mary; Joseph’s obedience and protective mercy show how God preserves holiness amid scandal and shame. This passage calls the reader to wonder at an incarnation that is both miraculous and historical: God steps into human lineage so that the Redeemer might truly be “of the seed” of David and Abraham. Receive the amazement that Emmanuel is God with us, born into vulnerability to save a wounded world. [58:33]

Matthew 1:18-25 (ESV)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Reflection: Where in your life does fear of shame push you toward quiet divorce from God’s will instead of protective obedience like Joseph? What one concrete act of mercy or faith will you take this week to honor and guard someone vulnerable, trusting God’s Word over the world’s whispers?

Day 2: The Holy Spirit makes the incarnation holy.

When Mary asked “How will this be?” the answer was not a human workaround but the power of the Most High overshadowing her—showing that the virgin birth is entirely God’s doing and that the Son’s human nature is sanctified from conception. This reinforces that salvation is God’s work from start to finish: the very human life He assumes is called holy because it is the result of divine action. Stand before this mystery in reverent wonder, knowing the miraculous entrance of God into flesh is not merely theatrical but purifying and redemptive. [59:36]

Luke 1:34-35 (ESV)

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”

Reflection: What part of your past or identity feels like a barrier to God’s holy work in you? Invite the Spirit to overshadow that specific place this week—what practical step will you take to yield it to God’s sanctifying power?

Day 3: He came in the likeness of human flesh.

The Son did not merely appear in human form; he came in the likeness of sinful flesh to identify fully with humanity while remaining without sin, accomplishing what the Law could not. This truth guards against falsehoods that either reduce his deity or deny his real humanity: the incarnation is the eternal Son taking to himself true, full human nature for the sake of redemption. Let this deepen awe—God united himself with human life so sinners might be saved and sanctified through him. [01:14:43]

Romans 8:3 (ESV)

For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

Reflection: In what area are you still trying to earn acceptance by the law or your own effort rather than resting in what Christ has done in the flesh? Name one legalistic habit to surrender and one gospel-shaped practice to begin this week.

Day 4: Confess the incarnation to resist deception.

Scripture warns that denying the fleshly coming of Jesus is the mark of deceivers and the antichrist; the church must therefore hold fast to the truth that the Second Person of the Trinity truly became man. This confession is not mere doctrine but protection: affirming both full deity and full humanity keeps the gospel intact and preserves the way of salvation. Cultivate a resolve to test teachings by this touchstone—Jesus came in the flesh—and let that confession shape worship, devotion, and discernment. [01:16:15]

2 John 1:7 (ESV)

For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.

Reflection: Identify one contemporary teaching, book, or influencer that nudges you to downplay Jesus’ true humanity or divinity. What specific steps will you take this week (Scripture reading, conversation with a trusted believer, prayer) to evaluate and, if needed, correct that influence?

Day 5: Discern spirits by confessing Christ in flesh.

John gives a simple test for spiritual discernment: the Spirit of God is present where people confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh—so confession becomes the measure of truth for worshipers and teachers. This practical yardstick calls the believer to speak plainly about the incarnation and to watch for teachings that obscure the reality that God is in the flesh. Let confession of the Incarnation be a daily habit that shapes how you read Scripture, receive teaching, and bow before the manger and the cross. [01:14:43]

1 John 4:2 (ESV)

By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

Reflection: Choose one decision, sermon, or book this week to evaluate through John’s test: does it confess that Jesus came in the flesh? What concrete evidence will you look for, and how will you respond if it fails that test?

Sermon Summary

Advent invites us to look again at the Child in the manger and ask, “Who is this?” I lifted our eyes to the breathtaking doctrine of the Incarnation: the eternal Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity, truly taking to Himself our full and complete human nature—without ceasing to be God and without merely appearing as a man. Matthew and Luke anchor this in history and miracle: conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, named Jesus because He will save His people from their sins, and called Emmanuel—God with us. This is not the Triune God becoming flesh, but the Word made flesh; not a change in who the Son is, but a change in the form He took—a real, permanent assumption of humanity.

I pressed us to think carefully, because salvation hangs on the truth about Jesus. He did not absorb a human nature into deity or toggle between two persons. He is one Person in two natures—without confusion, without change, without division, without separation. He drew true human nature from Mary (not Joseph), making Him the Seed of Abraham and David, and by the Spirit’s sanctifying work He remained holy from conception, so original sin did not pass to Him. The virgin birth declares that salvation is entirely God’s work, from first to last.

We also lingered over the moral beauty of Christ’s innocence. The purity we adore in the manger is the same purity offered at the cross. Imagine, shockingly, the innocence of a child enduring Calvary; that is the quality of holiness with which He suffered for us. He kept what we keep losing in a fallen world: unstained love, undiminished purity, unwavering obedience. Because He truly shares our humanity and remains forever the God-Man, He knows our weakness, understands our sorrows, and welcomes us boldly to the throne of grace.

Finally, we stood with the church through the centuries, guarding this mystery with clarity. Chalcedon helps us name the borders so we can adore the One within them: one Christ, true God and true Man. The Incarnation is the greatest miracle of all—greater even than creation—because the Infinite has permanently united Himself to the finite for our redemption. Let this Christmas move us beyond mere tradition into worshipful wonder, and into deeper love for Jesus.

Key Takeaways

1. The Incarnation: God weds human nature The eternal Son personally took full, real, complete human nature—forever—without ceasing to be God. This is not an appearance or costume but a permanent union that He did not shed at resurrection or ascension. Salvation rests on this union: only the God-Man can mediate between God and humanity. Adore Him as one Person in two natures, not a divided or blended being. [74:43]
2. Virgin birth safeguards a sinless Savior By the Spirit’s overshadowing, Jesus drew true humanity from Mary without inheriting original sin. The virgin birth announces that salvation is God’s work from origin to outcome—grace from first breath to final breath. Holiness is not imported from outside His humanity; His very human nature is sanctified from conception. This is why He can save His people from their sins. [79:43]
3. Innocence carried all the way to Calvary The purity we see in the manger is the purity offered at the cross. Imagine that innocence enduring the brutality of crucifixion; it confronts our jaded hearts and exposes the cost of redemption. He never surrendered His spotless love, even under hell’s worst violence. That is the moral perfection credited to us in Him. [67:40]
4. Guard the mystery with doctrinal clarity The church’s careful boundaries—without confusion, change, division, or separation—are not hair-splitting; they protect the truth that saves. False roads either make Jesus less than God, less than human, or two persons, and each destroys the gospel. Chalcedon gives language to adore the same Christ the apostles proclaimed. Right worship grows from right confession. [89:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[56:59] - Prayer for wisdom and revelation
[58:33] - Joseph’s dream and Emmanuel
[59:36] - The Son of God and Incarnation
[61:20] - Big questions about Christ’s natures
[62:45] - God comes down to save
[66:00] - Why definitions matter: antichrist warning
[67:40] - The purity of Christ to the cross
[71:17] - Trinity clarity: the Word made flesh
[73:06] - No change in Person; likeness of flesh
[76:15] - Human nature from Mary: true lineage
[79:43] - Virgin birth and God’s sole agency
[84:40] - Not a philosophy: a real Person
[88:30] - Reading the Chalcedonian Definition
[91:25] - Refuting ancient heresies
[94:14] - The greatest miracle: wonder and worship
[96:54] - Pastoral invitation and closing prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
- Matthew 1:18–25 (ESV)
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Observation questions (look closely at the text and the sermon material)

What specific facts about Jesus’ conception, naming, and the angel’s instruction are given in Matthew 1:18–25, and how do those facts work together in the birth narrative? [58:33]
How does Matthew’s address to Joseph as “son of David” and the surrounding genealogical material point to Jesus’ human lineage and fulfillment of Israel’s promises? [01:16:15]
Which Old Testament prophecy is Matthew quoting in 1:22–23, and what claim does that prophecy make about the nature and presence of God in the child? [59:36]
How does Joseph’s response (“he did as the angel commanded”) shape the unfolding of the incarnation story and the public recognition of Jesus’ identity? [58:33]

Interpretation questions (think about meaning and doctrine)

How does the claim that the eternal Son “took to Himself full, real, complete human nature—forever” change the way one understands Jesus’ role as mediator and Savior? What would be different if the union were only an appearance? [01:14:43]
What is the theological significance of Jesus receiving human nature specifically from Mary (and not from Joseph) for his identification with Israel and the promise of Davidic descent? [01:16:15]
In what way does the virgin birth function theologically to safeguard Jesus’ sinlessness and to show that salvation is entirely God’s work from origin to outcome? [01:19:43]
Why does affirming “one person in two natures” (without confusion, change, division, or separation) protect the gospel against errors such as Docetism, Arianism, Apollinarianism, and Nestorianism? What would be lost in the gospel if those boundaries were not kept? [01:29:52]

Application questions (personal, practical steps to grow)

The Incarnation means Jesus truly understands our weakness and welcomes us boldly to the throne of grace. When was the last time you came to Christ honestly about a personal weakness or sorrow? What one concrete step will you take this week to bring that need to him in prayer? [01:07:40]
The virgin birth reminds us that salvation is God’s work from first breath to final breath. In what area of your life are you still trying to “finish” what only God can do? What will you practically surrender to God’s work (a habit, a plan, a relationship) in the next seven days? [01:19:43]
The purity of the manger is the same purity offered at the cross. What impurity or compromise in your life needs to be confessed and laid at the foot of the cross so you can receive the righteousness credited in Christ? Name one accountability action you will take. [01:07:40]
Right worship grows from right confession. How will you intentionally guard and teach the essentials of Christ’s identity (one person in two natures) in your household, small group, or online conversations? List one practical habit (book to read, short statement to memorize, conversation to have) you will start. [01:29:52]
The Incarnation calls us from mere tradition into worshipful wonder. What will you do this Advent/Christmas to move from familiar routine into renewed awe of Christ (for example: read the birth narrative slowly with your family, set aside an hour of silent adoration, attend a service with focused prayer)? Choose one concrete plan for this season. [01:34:14]
Jesus drew his human nature from Mary and entered ordinary, vulnerable life. How might you show practical compassion this week to someone overlooked or vulnerable (a neighbor, a young mother, someone in need) so you reflect the dignity Jesus assumed? Name the person or group and the small action you will take. [01:16:15]

Sermon Clips

Did Jesus simply appear then To have a physical body?I'm asking these questions deliberately I'll pick it up on the back end Did Jesus just appear to have a physical body?We have to ask thatBecause that is in fact what history has asked Was Jesus fully divineIn the incarnation?If the scripture says that That he laid aside His majesty Was he fully divine in the incarnation?Another question Was Jesus fully Fully human In the incarnation?Or just partially human? [01:04:17] (37 seconds) #FullyGodFullyMan

Or Did Christ Only have one nature After the incarnation?In other words Was the human nature lost When it Came into union With the divine nature?What do you think?See Here's the thing I have to ask these questions of us And you may say Those are like splitting hairs Isn't it?So like those details Are a little bit lost on me But it But it isn't Because the scripture Says that Unless we define these elements We can be Prone to deception [01:05:32] (40 seconds) #ClarifyTwoNatures

The picture We have before us Is one of a babe With complete innocence Yes We have this picture Of this baby Very vulnerable Very innocent Entirely pure Lying there I'm using that Deliberately Because Jesus Will journey In this life For a period Of some 30 odd yearsAnd in that Journey He will take With him The essence Of his purity And he will Never lose it [01:07:04] (29 seconds) #PurityPreserved

When Jesus Goes to the cross As a man We can sometimes Think he can bear The brutality Of that Because he's Grown up And he Understands How to roll With the punches But I need to Put something Into your spirit Here this morning For you to UnderstandThat you can Take the baby In the manger And you can Transfer that Child to the CrossAnd let that Baby Endure the Havoc of the Cross That is the Essence of the Purity of the Christ [01:08:12] (33 seconds) #MangerToCross

AsAbhorrent As that Thought is To our Minds And as Much as We would React and Reject that And say No, no, no, no Martin Not a baby We're talking About the Christ here Holding the Beauty And the Purity And the Innocence That belongs To a Child in A manger When he Dies on The cross [01:08:50] (18 seconds) #ChildlikePurity

SomeImportant Clarifiers Here Around The Doctrine Of The Incarnation The Doctrine Of The Incarnation And You Can Write If You Want But The Doctrine Of The Incarnation Shows The Importance Of The Doctrine Of The Trinity To Us You See What We Have Here People Is This Is The Second Person Of The Trinity The Lord Jesus Christ Who Is Born Of A Virgin This Is Not The Triune God Becoming Flesh This Is TheWord More Accurately The Word And It's Important More Accurately The Word Becoming Flesh [01:10:47] (33 seconds) #WordBecameFlesh

The Incarnation Did Not Involve A Change In The Person Or The Personality Of The Second Person Of The Trinity There Was A Change In His State And Form But Not In A Change In The Person It'sNot Right To Say That The Son Of God Changed Into A Man RightThere's No Change In The Personality God The Son Became Incarnate In The Womb Of Mary He's Still The Second Person Of The Trinity [01:13:31] (34 seconds) #SameDivinePerson

And In This Advent In The Coming Of Christ In The Person Of Jesus Christ Coming Into The World He Actually Breaks The Whole Mindset Of How He Was To Appear HeComes Into Humanity As A Baby Born In A Manger In A Feeding Trough In A Stable Because There Was No Room For Him In The Inn He Doesn't Come In All Majesty And All Pomp And All Ceremony He Doesn't Come That Way [01:22:37] (26 seconds) #KingInAManger

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