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Prepare Him Room

Incarnation. A frequent word heard during this holiday season. Although not found in the text of the bible, the concept captures the Christmas story ( John 1:4, Luke 1:26-38, John 1:14) A Latin word derived from in and caro, in the flesh, reveals the amazing truth that the very creator of everything we know chose to become a part of His creation, an amazing mystery. (Philippians 2:7)


Incarnation. A frequent word heard during this holiday season. Although not found in the text of the bible, the concept captures the Christmas story ( John 1:4, Luke 1:26-38, John 1:14) A Latin word derived from in and caro, in the flesh, reveals the amazing truth that the very creator of everything we know chose to become a part of His creation, an amazing mystery. (Philippians 2:7)

In our church the pre-school department presents a nativity program. As the precious children act the various parts I stand amazed at the reality of the story they portray. How could God become a man? Why would God become a man? Why would God become a baby? Questions and amazement fill my heart with wonder and worship. Truly His ways are not my ways, His thoughts not my thoughts.

To come as a babe, amazing enough, but a babe without a nursery, without a doctor, without reputation? The One with all power, yields to birth? The One with all wisdom grows in wisdom and favor? The One present everywhere limits Himself to a human body? These are just a few aspects of this amazing miracle. How can it be?

The plan unfolded from the Garden and the Fall. The seed of woman would crush the head of the serpent. Sin would be defeated. Mankind would be redeemed. The plan unfolded stage by stage from Genesis to Luke. Sin requires a sacrifice. The blood of bulls and goats only covered sin. A messiah would come. A people were prepared to receive Him.

Ultimately Mary submitted to her part in the plan told her by the angel. Jesus was born that first Christmas morning. But the sword pierced her heart at the cross. Jesus died. But that is not the end of the story! He arose from the grave, victorious over the last enemy to be defeated, death. But that is still not the final chapter. Just as He came before, He is coming again. This time, he comes not as a babe in a borrowed manger, but astride a white horse as victor.

In the meantime, while we await the promise of His return, what does the incarnation mean to you and me, especially this Christmas season? For we who receive the gospel, we incarnate the message to those around us. We can be the literal hands and feet of Jesus. The life of Jesus through the Holy Spirit lives in me, in you. Our flesh is now the very home of God, His present dwelling place among men. (I Cor. 6:9-10) We can make the invisible God visible to a hurting and needy world.

What would Jesus do in your world, your home, if He were here in the flesh? He is here in you to accomplish that very thing. If I make this my focus this season I believe it will be the most memorable holiday ever. How about you? How well are we incarnating Him? Let us prepare Him room.

Gwynne Johnson currently serves on the Board of Entrust, Inc., an international education and training mission where she authored the Entrust curriculum, Developing a Discerning Heart. She recently served as Co-Chair of the training project, Christian Women in Partnership, Russia and as Senior Director of Women's Ministry at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. Gwynne has a M.A. in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. She currently lives in Huntsville, Texas with her husband of 58 years, Don. She works part-time in her daughter and granddaughter's bakery "The Best Box Ever," where she gets paid in cookies.