The Incarnation

Christmas 2021

I have taken several readings and, by every indicator, I am a man in need of grace. More to the point, even by the lowest standard.....(And, sadly, a God who is perfect in His perfection, never uses the lowest standard)....I have come to understand that I am in desperate need of God's unfathomable sustaining grace.

Perhaps that is why, in a life checkered with limited success and tremendous failure, I find myself irresistibly drawn to the attribute of God for which I feel the greatest need. His glorious, sacrificial, unimaginable, incomprehensible grace. It is, I believe, the reason for my deep appreciation of the love and grace poured out at the Incarnation.

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us..."

There has never been, in my opinion, a sentence ever written or uttered more pregnant in richness and depth than this one penned by a rugged, old fisherman who could boast of no formal education. Never have eight words described the eternal being drawn into time, or perfection placed in the midst of imperfection, or the explosive power of creation silently placed into the hands of powerless man, than these eight words.

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us..."

Creation adored Him, a star shadowed Him, shepherds worshiped Him, wise men sought Him, the angels bowed in holy wonder, and the Father was pleased. In that instant, God had not only pitched his tent among men, but the tent was flesh and bone, with a face and arms and legs. The tent was a baby, and the all-sustaining God was in the tent. All of God's love, all of His grace, and His majesty, and His holiness, wrapped in a helpless little baby.

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us..."

To be clear, it wasn't an act of desperation to save His fallen creation, but an outflow of the very nature of a loving Father. It wasn't a change of plan on the part of the Creator, but a moment destined in eternity, welling up from the core of everything that is divine. It bridged the beginning and end of time with all that is eternal. It touched creation, for the furthest star felt it's impact, and the tiniest atom shook at it's significance. It submerged humanity in love and grace. Even with it's unfathomable scope and magnitude, and despite it encompassing every possible dimension, it was extremely personal.

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us..."

It was extremely personal. It did not happen for those who are without sin, for they have no need of grace. It did not happen for those who need to be touched by grace on the rare occasion, for they do not comprehend the extent of their sinfulness. But it happened for those who realize the need for rivers of grace. Not just a sprinkling of grace. Not just a spattering of grace. But extravagant, exorbitant, enormously overflowing rivers of grace.

And that would be me, and it's why I love the Incarnation.

So, celebrate Christmas....but take some time to bow in worshipful adoration at the wonder of the Incarnation.

Have a wonderful, fruitful and blessed 2022.

By Grace Alone with Love,

Jim and Jacquie