Christmas: An Holy Incarnation

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God."

~Luke 1:26-30

Right now, Christmas season is in a full swing. Outrageous sales is going on now to lure customers to buy various kinds of goodies. Holiday pressure is settling in as Christmas is just two weeks away. The holiday tension and excitement is starting to become evident as various lighted display begins to appear across America. Some displays are very brilliant and colorful that we just can't help but slow down to admire the illuminated beauty of the night. Don't get me wrong here... I love the lighted displays that people erect in their front yards because they enhance the spirit of Christmas. Let it be Santa or Jesus, it is what makes this holiday season truly joyful.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if this holiday was not formed in America? No lights? No outrageous sales in malls? No joyful sayings of "Merry Christmas" and "Silent Night, Holy Night..."? No Message of Hope? This season would be dull and December would just be another month of snow with no meaning. Moreover, even if we still celebrate this kind of holiday, it would just prove to be meaningless and vainful.

"Holy Incarnation? What do you mean by that?" By definition, the word "incarnation" means "a bodily manifestation of a supernatural being." If you will read a bit further in Luke 1, Gabriel will tell Mary that she has been indwelled with the Holy Spirit and will give birth to a son who will be named Jesus, meaning Messiah or the Anointed One. The reason why God chose Mary to bear his Son is because she was favored in God's eyes.

In this Christmas story, Mary was given seven gifts: 1) Pregancy, 2) A Son, 3) Virgin birth, 4) Joshua, 5) Raising the Son of God, 6) Mother to the Most High, and 7) Mother of the Savior. Imagine you receiving this wonderful gift of God by bearing his own son? It would be an enormous honor you will ever receive in your life (including the future generations). Since that is not possible, there still remain the greatest gift that we can receive today... only if you will seek, ask and knock. Once you knock, the door will be opened. That is a promise.

Want to know the greatest gift you will receive in the future? Stay posted as more entries come up throughout this Christmas season.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

~Matthew 7:7-8