FLESH

To the human mind there is something almost illogical in the assertion that God became a man. It is like speaking about a square circle. Yet this is what Christmas says -- and we take refuge from our bewilderment not in explanation but in adoration (Ralph P. Martin).

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (John 1:1, 14).

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given to us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life (I John 5:20).

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (Liturgy of St. James. 5th. Century).

FORM

Christianity is the story of how the rightful King has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage. (--- C. S. Lewis).

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-8).

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life --- the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest in us ---that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you... (I John 1:1-3). 

The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, "You are a priest forever after the order o Melchizedek." The Lord is at your right hand, he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth (Psalm 110:4-6)

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: Gentle Mary Laid Her Child (Joseph Cook, 1919).

FLESH

The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that he sunk himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding. (Martin Luther).

Then [Jesus] stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."  Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God." (John 20:27)  

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory(I Timothy 3:16).

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: What Child Is This? (Traditional English Carol).  

ESTATE

What was the estate of Christ's humiliation?

The estate of Christ's humiliation was that low condition, wherein he for our sakes, emptying himself of his glory, took upon him the form of a servant, in his conception and birth, life, death, and after his death, until his resurrection. (Westminster Larger Catechism, Q/A 46)

Let earth and heaven combine,

Angels and men agree,

To praise in songs divine

The incarnate Deity,

Our God contracted to a span,

Incomprehensibly made man.

(Charles Wesley)

 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Galatians 4:6)

 

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (Charles Wesley, 1739).

BORN

Rejoice that the immortal God is born that mortal men may live in eternity. ---- Jan Hus

....and Jacob, the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. (Matthew 1:16).

...an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:20-21).

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God:

What Child Is This (traditional English carol).

PERESCUTED

And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven(Matthew 5:10).

Which, being interpreted is: Blessed are those who are fully aware, and willing to pay, the high cost of Christian discipleship. -- pgs

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: The Son of God Goes Forth to War (Reginald Heber, 1827).

MATTER

We matter to God. Inexplicably. Undeservedly. Even we dedicated Christians tend to forget this truth -- or doubt it or altogether reject it -- when we encounter trouble. It is difficult to understand why we matter, but we do. God is watching, listening to us, speaking promises into the cacophony of our worries and the certainty of their fulfillment into our most deeply buried hopes. --- Patty Kirk, "Confessions of an Amateur Believer."

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust." -- Psalm 91:1-2

A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God:

Call Jehovah Your Salvation.