The Incarnation

One of the great topics of Christian theology is the Incarnation. In the Gospel of Luke we get the fullest account of the birth of Jesus. He records the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she will bear the Son of God through the power of the Holy Spirit and then that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Matthew records how an angel convinced Joseph not to divorce Mary his betrothed because she was pregnant through the Holy Spirit with a son he was to name Jesus. John tells us that Jesus, the Word, became flesh and dwelt among us.

How are we to understand God becoming human? The Bible presents it as a fact, not with a scientific nor detailed explanation. Enter theology and we reflect on the meaning of God becoming human in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The Incarnation gives meaning to the sacrificial nature of Jesus on the cross, to God identifying with humans in all that life entails, and to what it means to be created in the image of God.

In the days ahead, I will explore some of these theological understandings of the Incarnation and how they lead us into worship, wellbeing, and wonder.