Hail the Incarnate Deity

As the Christmas season comes around once again, may we gain a fresh perspective of the Person of Christ.  Let us reflect upon what His Word says about Who He is and how He came to earth. As we do so, may the Lord grant us a deeper understanding of His Son.

Careline

december

     Most of us who are followers of Jesus are very familiar with the Christmas story.  We know that Jesus was conceived and born of a virgin mother and we even know a little about His earthly family.  Do we realize that Jesus, the Son, came to earth.  And what do we know about Jesus before His human, earthly life began?  Are we acutely aware that He existed as the Son before His birth in Bethlehem? If you’ve ever heard the term “theophany” you may have been studying an Old Testament passage that referred to an appearance of Christ before His life on earth.  A better term  would be “christophany.” 

     The etymology or word origin is from the Greek noun Christos- "Christ, Anointed,” and the Greek ending "phany" from the verb phaneroō, to be revealed or to manifest.  So, we see the Christ, the Second  Person of the Trinity, the Son, was revealed as “the Annointed One” in the person of  Jesus of Nazareth, son of Mary & Joseph. Do we or even scholars fully comprehend the miracle of His conception and birth, or the way God could fit into so small a package? No, but we  can  apprehend, that is we believe and hold onto what God’s Word has to say about His Son.  Charles Wesley’s famous hymn-carol  “Hark! The Herald 

Angels Sing” comes to life when we realize the truth of the lyrics, “Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; Hail the Incarnate Deity!  Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.” 

      While his earthly lineage is recorded in Matthew 1, the absence of a spiritual lineage speaks of His eternal nature.  How Jesus was “begotten” by His Father is something unknowable to us in human terms.  We read in Colossians 1:15, ”He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”  And again in Hebrews 1:3, “Who [Jesus] being the brightness of His [God’s] glory and the express image of His person…” In John, chapters 10 and 14, Christ states, “I and my Father are one...If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.” In              John 8:58, Jesus tells the Jewish religious leaders, “Before Abraham was, I AM.”  He was making a direct claim not only to deity, but to the eternality of Who the Son is.

     So, we see that Bethelehem, Israel, 0 A.D. is not when Jesus came into existence, merely when He came to earth.  It should fill us with a sense of awe and perhaps amazement, even confusion, to begin to realize the sacrifice of this One, the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, Who chose to come, live among us and die in our place so that we could be in His presence for eternity.  “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15)
Text Box: Oh Chrismon Tree!   Sunday, December 4 we will gather as a church family, sing Christmas carols and decorate our sanctuary tree. As in years past, a “Chrismon Packet” will be available in the foyer for everyone to take and use as a pattern and devotional. You may also bring a special family ornament to represent what Christ means to your household. Join us for this very fun family evening and let’s kick off the Christmas season together.

JESUS : The Son
Text Box: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Words by Charles Wesley Music by Felix Mendelssohn Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Joyful, all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies With angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!” Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King! Christ, by highest heaven adored. Christ, the everlasting Lord Late in time, behold Him come Offspring of the virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail, the Incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel, Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace Hail the Son of Righteousness Light and life to all He brings Risen with healing in His wings Mild, He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

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