In the Christ-hymn of Philippians 2:5-11, the apostle Paul proclaims that Christ,

...although he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What a beautiful encapsulation of what we considered last week: in Jesus Christ, God has become human in order to fully work out our salvation. 

As Paul reminds us, the eternal Son did not cling to the glory which is rightfully his, but instead fully and genuinely entered into the human experience. Embracing humility, Jesus lived a human life, day by day. Born in humble circumstances to parents who were nobodies, rather than in the halls of power and wealth, Christ temporarily laid aside his exalted status. He did not cease to be glorious – his assumption of humanity did not in any way lessen or compromise his divinity – but rather, his glory was veiled in the incarnation, hidden from sight, before being revealed through his crucifixion and resurrection. 

This is why the Gospel of John so often uses the language of “glory” in connection with talking about “the hour” of Jesus’ suffering. Jesus’ glory is revealed through his historical existence as the incarnate Son who obediently journeyed to the cross.

Think about the last time when you heard this rich theology proclaimed outside of a church environment.

Although you may not have realised it, if you have braved the shops this week, you’ve probably been exposed to an incredible proclamation of advent theology! Along with the arrival of pre-Christmas sales comes Christmas music, an eclectic mix of Mariah Carey-esque tunes and carols. Among these festive earworms, the riches of Christian doctrine are communicated in song. Hark the Herald Angels Sing is a particularly rich carol, with lines describing the incarnation:

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail the incarnate deity, pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel!

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see… God has taken on flesh so that we may know him and see him revealed in Jesus.

Hail the incarnate deity… Jesus, the incarnate God

Pleased with us in flesh to dwell… God has assumed humanity

Jesus our Emmanuel… Emmanuel, translated as “God with us”: in Jesus, God dwells with humanity.

Other verses proclaim the outcome of the incarnation – the salvation of all humankind, “God and sinners reconciled!”

Consider:  What are your favourite Christmas carols, or hymns? What rich gospel truths do they declare?

Sometimes when we talk about “the gospel”, we inadvertently do so in a way that reduces the work of Christ simply to the cross. 

The cross is certainly the climax of the gospel – it is the moment at which Christ’s identification with humanity in our sinfulness and need for God is worked out in the fullest way possible. However, the proclamation of the incarnation during advent and Christmas is gospel proclamation. 

Jesus becoming human is not incidental to our salvation – as if he becomes human simply so that he can hurry to the cross, and the cross is all that counts.

Instead, Jesus’ assumption of humanity is instrumental for our salvation – it is essential to the redemption of all things.

Why is this so significant? The incarnation encourages us that God has not worked to save us from afar, without getting his hands dirty. Instead, God has loved us in this way: he has become one of us and one with us, fully identifying with our humanity in our messiness, our sinfulness and our rebellion, and then, alongside us, walking out such a life of faithfulness and obedience that in Christ, our humanity is healed and restored to its true orientation – towards the Father – and through the Spirit, we are enabled to share in Christ’s healed humanity. God is not detached or far away. He embraces our brokenness and in doing so, heals it in such a way that we are enabled, by the Spirit, to live out of this restored humanity.

Consider: When you think about what God is like, what’s your first response? Does it include this reality, that God loved his creation so much that he entered into it, in order to save it from the inside out.

One spiritual practice that I have found helpful in times of particular busyness is that of “paying attention”. 

In Exodus 3, when Moses is busy tending his father-in-law’s sheep in the wilderness, he sees a bush on fire. Moses is recorded as saying, “I will turn aside, to see why it does not burn up!” 

I reckon that for all of us, in the midst of the busy end-of-year and Christmas season, the spiritual practice of “turning aside” or “paying attention” might help us to pause, connect with God, and reflect on the mystery of the incarnation – God taking on human flesh, stepping into his creation, and dwelling among us.

Whether this means listening out for the lyrics of the Christmas hymns as you do your shopping, celebrating the goodness of God as you gather with family and friends, or taking a few quiet moments to experience wonder and gratitude, I encourage you too to turn aside and pay attention. May the Word speak to each one of us this advent.

Consider: What are some ways that you can intentionally "turn aside" to create space for reflection and wonder?

Are there any messy realities or difficult spaces where God may be calling you to bring incarnational hope?