The incarnation of the Son of God is one of the greatest miracles of God. The word incarnation comes from a Latin word meaning, “in flesh”. The Lord Jesus Christ voluntarily came to earth as a man to be the redeemer of God’s people. He was truly God and truly man. This means that he had a human body with all the needs of a human yet without sin. He had the need to eat, drink and sleep. He had two natures in one body; both human and divine.

We must remember that Christ had a true human body. He did not just appear to be a man he really was a man. This is key in our understanding of the crucifixion. He had to die bodily to obtain redemption for God’s people. He had a soul, a mind and a will. He suffered in body, spirit and mind upon the cross. The most essential part of Christ’s person is the fact that he was sinless. God required a perfect sacrifice for sin. Christ was the one and only person who fulfilled the demands of God’s law and plan. His birth was like no other. He was conceived and born by the Holy Spirit to a virgin named Mary.

It was a miraculous conception by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of Mary that our Lord and Saviour was born into this world. Luke 1:34-35 says, “Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.”

The birth of Jesus Christ is so familiar to us that we often fail to recognise just how marvellous and wonderful it truly is. We hear that story every year in December, but do we think about it throughout the year. Christ went through temptations, sufferings and battles on earth. He knows what it is like to live in this sinful world. Christ is not someone who cannot relate to humanity. This ought to cause us to seek him more and call upon him both in good times, and bad times. How does the birth, life and death of Christ affect you? Are you encouraged to live like Christ did? Is Christ both Lord and Saviour of your life?