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Key Bible Verses: The Word became human and lived here on earth among us… And we have seen his glory (John 1:14). Bonus Reading: Philippians 2:5–11

Don't try to explain the Incarnation to me! It is further from being explainable than the furthest star in the furthest galaxy. It is love, God's limitless love enfleshing that love into the form of a human being.

Was there a moment when all the stars held their breath for a split second, and the Word, who'd called it all into being, went with all His love into the womb of a young girl, and the universe started to breathe again, and the angels clapped their hands for joy?

Power—greater than we can imagine—abandoned, as the Word knew the powerlessness of the unborn child, still unformed, taking up almost no space in the amniotic fluid, unseeing, unhearing, unknowing. Slowly growing, as any human embryo; arms and legs and a head, eyes, mouth, nose, slowly swimming into life until the ocean in the womb is no longer large enough, and it is time for birth.

Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity, willingly and lovingly leaving all that power and coming to this poor, sin-filled planet to live with us for a few years to show us what it means to be made in God's image. Jesus, as Paul reminds us, was the firstborn of many brethren.

—Madeleine L'Engle in Bright Evening Star

My Response: I'll reflect this Christmas Eve on the wonder of what can't be explained.

Thought to Apply: The virgin birth [is] far less mind-boggling than the Power of all Creation stooping so low as to become one of us.—MADELEINE L'ENGLE (author)

Adapted from Bright Evening Star (Shaw, 1997) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Lord Jesus, help me to fully embrace Your humanity as I do Your deity.

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