Incarnation 101

by:  Paul Christopher Y. Cheng

After the hearty handaan and noche buena, the simbang gabi and the puto bumbong, we now exclaim, “Jesus is born; Christmas is here!” Amidst the festivities however, we have a tendency to take Christmas as a simple fact, a fact that can easily be taken for granted. Tell me: how often have you asked yourself, “Why did God become man? Why is there a need for Christmas?” Perhaps you might not have asked this question at all.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (456-460) gives us four reasons for the incarnation:

1.      The Word became flesh for us in order to save us by reconciling us with God.

How does Jesus reconcile us with God? As the God-man, Jesus mediates for us, i.e. he serves as our bridge, so that we might be able to participate in God’s life again. “The Word, as God, is equal to the Father, and therefore cannot be mediator, but he can be mediator insofar as he is man (i.e. has a human nature), for this allows him to suffer and atone for our sins” ¹.

2.      The Word became flesh so that we might know God’s love.

Before Jesus became man, God’s love and mercy were known only through signs: the Law, the pillar of fire, the miracles of the prophets. Jesus put a face to God’s love. God now isn’t only a vague concept; he is a living person, the person of Jesus.

3.      The Word became flesh to be our model of holiness.

The work of redemption does not end with the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord. Since we have to work out our own salvation, we need to have a guide whom we can imitate and follow. Jesus is that role model because he says, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

4.      The Word became flesh to make us “partakers of the divine nature”.

By becoming our brother, Jesus makes us children of God. We share in the divine life not only through sanctifying grace, but also in the inheritance promised to God’s children: life eternal. St. Athanasius’ words prove true, “For the Son of God became man so that we might become God.”

Let us consider these insights and give thanks to the Father for sending us his Son.

Merry Christmas to all!

Sources:
¹ Faith Seeking Understanding vol. 1, Charles Belmonte ed. 
Catechism of the Catholic Church