What does it mean that God took on our humanity and lived with his people? What are the implications of Jesus taking on flesh?

The incarnation is about God living with us, as one of us. Jesus came in the flesh so that we can experience intimacy with him, and so that he would redeem us by living a perfect life and by dying a sinner’s death.

The Apostle John wrote of the incarnation, God appearing in human flesh, saying, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, ESV).

What is the nativity? What does it look like for Jesus, God incarnate, to be laid in a manger in a household stable?

God gave his only-begotten Son, who took our nature upon himself, and was born of a pure virgin. Saint Athanasius said, "Christ became what we are so that He might make us like Him."

The Gospel of Luke tells us, "And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7, ESV).

Why was Jesus born into this world? What was the purpose of God taking on human form and coming to live here among us?

Jesus came to bring salvation to everyone. Jesus was born into this world to save everyone.

Jesus took on human flesh to live a perfect life and to die a sinner’s death to bring life to all people through his sacrifice, resurrection, and ascension.

In Luke’s gospel account, an angel proclaimed to lowly and outcast shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11, ESV).

What do we know about Joseph from Matthew 1:18-25?

Joseph was a man of character and integrity. Joseph was engaged to Mary, but did not live with her before marriage (1:18).

Joseph was a righteous man (1:19).

Joseph was a man of peace and quiet judgement. Having discovered his soon to be wife—Mary was pregnant, Joseph was unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, but planned to dismiss her quietly (1:19).

Joseph cared more about character and honor than he did about money. Joseph was willing to protect Mary, and to forfeit the bride price he paid, and his father-in-law’s monetary gift, most likely given at betrothal, by not having a public trial (1:19).

What does exercising righteousness look like? How are we to be faithful when we encounter disappointments, the unknown and the uncertain?

It takes integrity, righteousness, and faith to do what is right when we encounter difficulties and challenges which we cannot understand or see clearly.

This righteous faith was the case with Joseph when he encountered the dynamics around Jesus’ birth. Joseph had a real crisis of faith and integrity concerning the circumstances of Jesus’ birth, and Joseph did what was right when he encountered God’s call.

What does it look like to have faith in the face of our fear? How should we respond to God’s difficult call?

Joseph was a man of great faith. In the face of fear and uncertainty, Joseph was invited to have faith and he acted in faith and obedience despite of his fear.

Matthew’s gospel tells us “the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’” (Matthew 1:20-21, ESV).

What does it look like to have God’s hand upon our life? What does God’s hand bring about in our life?

The Psalmist writes of God’s hand being with his people, saying, “Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name. Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.” (Psalm 8:18-19, ESV).

What do we anticipate from God at his coming? What does God plan for his children in sending Jesus?

The Prophet Isaiah spoke of God’s Advent, saying, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14, ESV).

God’s blessing and sign of love for us is the presence of Jesus born into the world through the Virgin Mary.

What does a restored land look like? When God makes everything new again, how will we experience life?

God spoke through his prophet Isaiah about fertility coming out of the wilderness and dry land. He spoke of gladness from drought and blossoming deserts. Creation will rejoice and sing at the fruit that God will bring.

Isaiah prophesied, “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.” (Isaiah 35:1-2, ESV).

What is it that we are waiting for? When the Lord comes again, what fruitfulness will he bring with him?

If we wait patiently and endure, fruitful days are ahead of us at the second coming of the Lord.

James, the half brother of Jesus, wrote, “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (James 5:7-9, ESV).

What highway does God call his redeemed to travel? What does the pathway of holiness look like? What does it look like for us to walk as the redeemed of God?

The pathway of God is not like the pathways of this world. God’s highway is one of holiness. The redeemed of God walk in God’s way.

Isaiah spoke of God’s highway of holiness and his restoration, saying, “The burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.” (Isaiah 35:7-9, ESV).

What does it look like to have the revitalization and restoration of God in this desert life? When restoration is fully realized in this world, what will it look like?

God will restore the brokenness and barrenness of this fallen world. There will come a time when the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame made whole, the mute will speak, and dry and barren land will become a fertile garden again.

The Prophet Isaiah told of the coming restoration, saying, “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.” (Isaiah 35:5-6, ESV).

Do you long for renewal? Do you look for a time where sorrows are replaced with joy and gladness?

This sin damaged world can be filled with brokenness and pain. We long for the renewal of all things where God will restore and renew all things—a time where God will give us his joy and gladness.

The Prophet Isaiah spoke of this time of renewal when he proclaimed, “The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10, ESV).

Where do you draw your strength? Where do you find your surety? What keeps you free from anxiety? How do you walk in courage in the face of fear?

Our weaknesses can cause us to be insecure and unsure. This broken world can be unstable and anxiety producing. We can experience fear in the face of the fall.

The Prophet Isaiah wrote, “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.’” (Isaiah 35:3-4, ESV).

How rooted is your faith? Can you historically trace your salvation through God’s salvation history with his people?

Our salvation through Jesus is rooted in God’s faithfulness in keeping his promises to his people. We have a rooted and grounded faith in our God who is faithful.

God promised King David that he would establish an everlasting kingdom through his lineage. God said to David, “Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16, ESV).

How blessed are we to know and experience all the wondrous things of God throughout all the earth?

Our God is blessed because he alone does wondrous things and his name is blessed and glorious. The entire earth is filled with God’s glory.

The Psalmist, most likely David’s son King Solomon, wrote, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen! The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.” (Psalms 72:18-20, ESV).

Is there hope for life and fruitfulness in the face of death, despair, and hopelessness?

In a time of desperation for the Israelite people who had fallen into sin, and who were subject to judgement, the Prophet Isaiah spoke of the coming Messiah, a shoot or branch from the lineage of the almost extinct line of King David—the dry and almost dead stump of the family tree going back to his father Jesse.

Isaiah proclaimed, “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.” (Isaiah 11:1, ESV).

Where does God rest himself? What does the resting place of God look like?

In the days of old, God’s presence dwelled upon the mountain of God—the temple mount in Jerusalem—God’s holy mountain.

The Prophet Isaiah wrote, “They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.” (Isaiah 11:9-10, ESV).

Where do we look for encouragement and hope? What is the best resource to find the hope of God for our lives?

There is hope found in God’s word. We are blessed beyond measure to have the Bible, the written word of God, for us to seek and to find the hope God desires to give us.

The Psalmist writes of the hope found in the word of God when he says, “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” (Psalm 130:5, ESV).

What would the world look like without any more hurt or destruction? What would our lives look and be like without any more hurt or destruction?

This broken world is filled with hurt and destruction. We long for the hope and the peace that only God can bring at his glorious arrival.

God spoke through the Prophet Isaiah saying, “They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:9, ESV).