The Profound Mystery of the Incarnation at Christmas
Summary
The essence of Christmas is not merely a celebration of the birth of a spiritual leader, but a profound acknowledgment of the Incarnation—God becoming flesh and dwelling among us. This truth is beautifully encapsulated in the Gospel of John and the ancient hymn found in Philippians 2:5-11. The Incarnation is a mystery that invites us to see beyond the cultural and commercial aspects of Christmas and to focus on the divine reality that Jesus, co-eternal with God, entered into His creation. This is not just a historical event but a transformative truth that impacts our understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done.
The History Channel's definition of Christmas as the anniversary of the birth of a spiritual leader misses the depth of the Christian celebration. Jesus is not merely a teacher whose teachings form the basis of a religion; He is the Word made flesh, the radiance of God's glory, and the exact imprint of His nature. The early church recognized this truth, as evidenced by their hymns and worship practices, which celebrated Jesus as God incarnate.
The Incarnation is central to the Christian faith because it reveals the nature of God and His purpose in creation. Jesus, though in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be exploited but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant. This act of humility and obedience, even to the point of death on a cross, is the foundation of our redemption. It is through this self-emptying that Jesus becomes our Redeemer, offering atonement for our sins and reconciling us to God.
As we meditate on the Incarnation, we are reminded of the mystery and majesty of Christmas. It is a story of divine love and mercy, where the Creator steps into creation to bear our sins and offer us new life. This truth challenges us to reflect on the significance of Jesus' divinity and His sacrificial love. It invites us to experience the joy, peace, and strength that come from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, who continues the work of the Incarnation in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- The Incarnation is the heart of Christmas, revealing Jesus as God made flesh, not just a spiritual leader. This truth challenges us to see beyond cultural celebrations and embrace the divine mystery of God entering creation. [01:09]
- The early church's hymns and worship practices celebrated Jesus as God incarnate, emphasizing His divine nature and redemptive work. This historical perspective invites us to deepen our understanding of who Jesus is. [06:57]
- Jesus' self-emptying and humility, as described in Philippians 2, are central to our redemption. His obedience to the point of death on a cross offers atonement for our sins and reconciles us to God. [19:54]
- The mystery of Christmas is the story of a God who steps into creation, offering us new life and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This truth transforms our understanding of the Incarnation and its impact on our lives. [28:08]
- Meditating on the Incarnation invites us to experience the joy, peace, and strength of Christ in us. It challenges us to reflect on the significance of Jesus' divinity and His sacrificial love. [32:29]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:09] - The Mystery of the Incarnation
[02:12] - The Meaning of Christmas
[03:40] - The Dual Celebrations
[05:31] - Misunderstanding Christmas
[06:57] - Philippians 2: The Early Church Hymn
[10:16] - Poetry and Worship
[13:19] - The Nature of Christ
[15:12] - Jesus Before the Manger
[16:48] - The Radiance of God's Glory
[19:54] - The Essence of the Christmas Story
[22:07] - Understanding 'Grasped'
[23:44] - The Significance of the Incarnation
[25:21] - The Real Mystery of Christmas
[28:08] - The True Myth of Christmas
[32:29] - The Significance of 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel'
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Essence of Christmas
Bible Reading:
1. John 1:1-5, 14
2. Philippians 2:5-11
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Observation Questions:
1. According to John 1:14, what significant event does the phrase "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" describe? How does this relate to the concept of the Incarnation? [01:09]
2. In Philippians 2:5-11, what actions did Jesus take that demonstrate His humility and obedience? How are these actions central to the message of the Incarnation? [06:57]
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between the cultural celebration of Christmas and the Christian understanding of the Incarnation? [03:40]
4. What does the sermon suggest is missing from the History Channel's definition of Christmas, and why is this significant? [05:31]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of Jesus being "in the form of God" and not exploiting His equality with God challenge our understanding of power and humility? [19:54]
2. Why is the Incarnation described as a "mystery" in the sermon, and how does this mystery invite us to deepen our understanding of Jesus' divinity and humanity? [28:08]
3. How does the early church's use of hymns, as mentioned in the sermon, reflect their understanding of Jesus' divine nature and redemptive work? [10:16]
4. What implications does the sermon suggest about the significance of Jesus' self-emptying for our personal redemption and relationship with God? [22:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the idea that Jesus, co-eternal with God, entered into His creation. How does this truth impact your personal understanding of Christmas? [19:54]
2. The sermon challenges us to see beyond cultural celebrations of Christmas. What practical steps can you take to focus more on the Incarnation during this season? [03:40]
3. Consider the humility and obedience of Jesus as described in Philippians 2. How can you emulate these qualities in your daily life, especially in your interactions with others? [06:57]
4. The sermon invites us to meditate on the mystery and majesty of Christmas. What specific practices or reflections can help you experience the joy, peace, and strength of Christ in you this season? [28:08]
5. How does understanding the Incarnation as a transformative truth change the way you view your relationship with God and others? [22:07]
6. The sermon suggests memorizing and meditating on John 1:1 and 1:14. How might this practice deepen your appreciation for the Incarnation and its significance in your life? [32:29]
7. Reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in continuing the work of the Incarnation in your life. How can you be more aware of and responsive to the Spirit's presence and guidance? [28:08]
Devotional
Day 1: The Incarnation: God Among Us
The Incarnation is the heart of Christmas, revealing Jesus as God made flesh, not just a spiritual leader. This truth challenges us to see beyond cultural celebrations and embrace the divine mystery of God entering creation. The essence of Christmas is not merely a celebration of the birth of a spiritual leader, but a profound acknowledgment of the Incarnation—God becoming flesh and dwelling among us. This truth is beautifully encapsulated in the Gospel of John and the ancient hymn found in Philippians 2:5-11. The Incarnation is a mystery that invites us to see beyond the cultural and commercial aspects of Christmas and to focus on the divine reality that Jesus, co-eternal with God, entered into His creation. This is not just a historical event but a transformative truth that impacts our understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done. [01:09]
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally focus on the divine mystery of the Incarnation amidst the cultural and commercial aspects of Christmas this year?
Day 2: Celebrating Jesus as God Incarnate
The early church's hymns and worship practices celebrated Jesus as God incarnate, emphasizing His divine nature and redemptive work. This historical perspective invites us to deepen our understanding of who Jesus is. The History Channel's definition of Christmas as the anniversary of the birth of a spiritual leader misses the depth of the Christian celebration. Jesus is not merely a teacher whose teachings form the basis of a religion; He is the Word made flesh, the radiance of God's glory, and the exact imprint of His nature. The early church recognized this truth, as evidenced by their hymns and worship practices, which celebrated Jesus as God incarnate. [06:57]
"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power." (Hebrews 1:3, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you incorporate the early church's perspective of Jesus' divine nature into your personal worship and celebration of Christmas?
Day 3: Jesus' Humility and Our Redemption
Jesus' self-emptying and humility, as described in Philippians 2, are central to our redemption. His obedience to the point of death on a cross offers atonement for our sins and reconciles us to God. The Incarnation is central to the Christian faith because it reveals the nature of God and His purpose in creation. Jesus, though in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be exploited but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant. This act of humility and obedience, even to the point of death on a cross, is the foundation of our redemption. It is through this self-emptying that Jesus becomes our Redeemer, offering atonement for our sins and reconciling us to God. [19:54]
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:5-7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you emulate Jesus' humility and self-emptying in your daily interactions and relationships?
Day 4: The Mystery of Divine Love
The mystery of Christmas is the story of a God who steps into creation, offering us new life and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This truth transforms our understanding of the Incarnation and its impact on our lives. As we meditate on the Incarnation, we are reminded of the mystery and majesty of Christmas. It is a story of divine love and mercy, where the Creator steps into creation to bear our sins and offer us new life. This truth challenges us to reflect on the significance of Jesus' divinity and His sacrificial love. It invites us to experience the joy, peace, and strength that come from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, who continues the work of the Incarnation in our lives. [28:08]
"For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross." (Colossians 1:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to open your heart to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and experience the transformative power of the Incarnation?
Day 5: Experiencing the Joy of Christ
Meditating on the Incarnation invites us to experience the joy, peace, and strength of Christ in us. It challenges us to reflect on the significance of Jesus' divinity and His sacrificial love. The Incarnation is not just a historical event but a transformative truth that impacts our understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done. As we meditate on this truth, we are reminded of the mystery and majesty of Christmas. It is a story of divine love and mercy, where the Creator steps into creation to bear our sins and offer us new life. This truth challenges us to reflect on the significance of Jesus' divinity and His sacrificial love. [32:29]
"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." (Colossians 1:11-12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of joy and gratitude for the Incarnation in your daily life, especially during this Christmas season?
Quotes
"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. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." [00:00:14] (28 seconds)
"And then verse 14, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. Full of grace and full of truth. Father, this morning we gather together as we are entering into this time where we focus on the Incarnation." [00:00:42] (27 seconds)
"Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Now, that statement is either written by someone who is intentionally trying to misrepresent what it is. What it is that Christians celebrate on Christmas Day, or someone who was just ignorant of it, or it just tells us that the church is doing a horrible job of actually teaching what it is we celebrate on Christmas Day." [00:04:35] (34 seconds)
"Because at the heart of the Christmas story is who is Jesus and what has Jesus done. That's the essence of what makes Christmas, Christmas. So, if you'll look with me in Philippians chapter 2, we're skipping ahead a few verses because we want to look at this hymn that begins in verse 5." [00:06:57] (24 seconds)
"Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus who though he was in the form of God did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant being born in the likeness of men and being found in human form he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death even death on a cross therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God our Father." [00:07:21] (48 seconds)
"The early church within decades of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, when they gathered for worship and they sang a hymn or they recited a hymn to Christ, I want you to see where that hymn starts, what it is in essence that they're saying about this Jesus that they're speaking to." [00:14:29] (26 seconds)
"The mystery of Christmas is that there is a God who stepped into creation. That is incredible. I like how C. S. Lewis put it. You need your C. S. Lewis quote for the day. He says, the story of Christmas is simply a true myth, true myth, a myth working on us in the same way. The story is the others, but with the tremendous difference that it really happened." [00:27:10] (35 seconds)
"The doctrines that we get out of the true myth are, of course, less true. They are translations into our concepts and ideas of that which God has already expressed in a language that is more adequate, namely, the actual incarnation crucifixion and resurrection right the the doctrines the things that we say he's light of light true god of true god you know the ways that we try to put this in our words all of those are insufficient to the ways that god has already expressed that just in the incarnation itself the word became flesh and dwelt among us although he was in the form of god he did not card regard equality with god something to be exploited but emptied himself took on the form of a servant." [00:28:08] (55 seconds)
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