“Without the incarnation, Christianity isn’t even a very good story, and most sadly, it means nothing.”
-Michael Spencer
History reveals that a preacher and religious leader by the name of Jesus of Nazareth was born around 2,020 years ago in the Kingdom of Judea, a part of the Roman Empire. So important was His life, the entire world acknowledges His birth every day through the terms anno Domini (AD), which means the “year of the Lord,” and before Christ (BC), as it marks the date on our calendar.
Jesus’ impact has been so great that nearly one-third of the world’s population claims allegiance to His teachings, commands, and the claims He made about Himself; mainly that He was God’s Son. The Gospel of John states, “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 (Jn 1:14).” This is called the incarnation.
Christmas is all about the Incarnation, a theological term used to describe Jesus, the Son of God, becoming a human – literally meaning “the act of being made flesh.” When Jesus put on skin he became a lot like us. He needed sleep (Luke 8:23), food (Matthew 4:2; 21:18), and physical protection (Matthew 2:13-15; John 10:39). He perspired (Luke 22:43-44) and bled (John 19:34). He expressed joy (John 15:11), sorrow (Matthew 26:37), and anger (Mark 3:5).1
The Gallup organization reports that 93% of Americans celebrate Christmas, down a mere 3 points from the 96% reported nearly 30 years ago.2 For Christians, this statistic is encouraging. But Gallup also reports that in 1994, only 6% of those surveyed said they did not affiliate with any religion, compared to 21% today (In this survey the term religion applies not only to Christians, but it includes Jewish, Muslim, another religion or no religion.)3
There are many ways to look at this data, but one that is obvious to me is that fewer people are identifying as Christians, yet these same individuals continue to celebrate Christmas. I’m not naïve enough to think that all who celebrate Christmas are Christians. Yet at the same time each year in every big city, small town, and far-reaching hamlet, you’ll find a nativity scene – Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.
One cannot separate Christ from Christmas. The two are inextricably linked.
I’m glad those who claim no faith and those of other faiths celebrate this holy season alongside those of us who have seen beyond the tinsel and the gifts and to the manger. Many seek a Christmas without a Christ, but can’t do so any more than someone who trips can avoid coming into contact with the ground.
Thus the gospel – the good news – is being preached this Christmas both boldly and subtly. Paul draws a similar parallel in his letter to the Philippians: Some when they speak “do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ … But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice (Ph 1:15-18).”
Each year it’s easy to get fixated on the latest news story of yet another nativity scene being removed from the public square in one of our communities. It may be possible to remove the image of the incarnation from the public eye, but no one can ever remove the power of Jesus Christ from the heart.
Rejoice with me when a non-believer sings “Away in a Manger” on a holiday TV special. Celebrate when the agnostic college professor, who enjoys the work of Handel’s masterpiece The Messiah, sings the triumphant Hallelujah Chorus with great expression proclaiming that “He shall reign forever and ever.” When this happens, the gospel is being preached; the incarnation is being shared with the world, and the gospel is “forcefully advancing.”
Because …
The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ
And He shall reign forever and ever!
(The Hallelujah Chorus from Georg Friedrich Händel’s Messiah)
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!
Resources for further exploration:
- How to have peace with God
- What is the meaning of the incarnation?
- What is the gospel?
- If I’m not very familiar with the Bible, where should I start reading?
Play to win this week in the game that really counts!
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