The Incarnation

Romans 5:6-21, Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 1:12-20, I Peter 1:13-23

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

What were You thinking when You became human?  What was in Your mind when You came to earth in the form of a baby?  Why would any god set aside all of the privileges of being God?  God just doesn’t do that!  But You did!  And You planned it that way.  Your coming to earth as the Savior of the world was not an afterthought.  It was Your plan all along.

You know what we need.  We need a Savior.  Sin and rebellion has so twisted and distorted our human character that we are estranged from You.  We are separated with a chasm that we cannot cross.  We are darkened in our understanding, corrupted in our moral nature, and desperate for You.

The prophets said You were coming.  They called You names like Immanuel, Messiah, Branch, Joshua, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.  They were telling of the details of Your birth 700 years in advance!

What a plan!

And then God became flesh.  Conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin girl, born into poverty and relative obscurity, and raised by an earthly surrogate.  You went from the carpenter shop to the cross because You were born to die!

What a plan!  God–born to die!  No other god, no other religion, no other idol would ever construct a bold myth to match the truth of Your Incarnation.

Thank You for Your plan, Holy Father, to send Your Son to be the Savior of the world.  Thank You, Holy Spirit, for implanting the seed of God in Mary’s womb.  Thank You, Jesus, for all You left behind to become the Savior of the world.  You endured the shameful rumors of illegitimacy.  You became poor that we could be rich (II Corinthians 8:9).  You embraced the cross, raised Yourself from the dead, and returned to the Father to pray for us!

God made flesh.  Why did You do that?  It is too great for me to comprehend.  All I can do is to thank You and offer myself to You.  I love You.

Amen.