Christians often use the big word “Incarnation” at Christmastime to refer to the miracle that took place that first Christmas, but have you ever wonder what exactly it means?
The carol “Hark the Herald Angels” says this: hail the incarnate deity, please with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. [Emmanuel means God with us, Matt 1:23b]
Instead of using lots of smaller words to say one thing “the incarnation” has been how Christians have referenced this amazing event of Jesus’ birth. Let’s break down the word (in English):
In-carn-ation[1]
“In” speaks of entering into; “carn”—think carnivore— refers to flesh (but not the flesh of turkeys, which I dare say we will be eating a lot of!), human flesh or form; “ation” speaks of the act or process of entering, taking on or enfleshing.
If you string them all together INCARNATION speaks of the event whereby God the Son, the 2nd member of the Trinity, took on human flesh, and was born of a Virgin so as to be the redeemer of mankind. It was an act that of course began at Jesus conception (Lk 1:31) but which culminated at His birth (Lk 2:1).
JOHN 1:14—And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.
Praise the Lord for the wonder and grace of the Incarnation.
Now you know!
The Lord’s Sweetest Blessings,
Pastor Chris
Cromhall Chapel 