May 3rd, 2026
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11
It may feel a little unusual—perhaps even slightly out of place—to talk about the Christmas story in May. We tend to reserve these verses for December, when nativity scenes fill church foyers and carols echo through crowded sanctuaries. But the incarnation of Jesus Christ is not a seasonal truth. It is an eternal one. The miracle of God becoming man is not confined to a holiday; it is the foundation of our faith every day of the year.
The incarnation is one of the most astonishing claims in human history: that the eternal God stepped into time, took on flesh, and lived among His creation. John does not describe this event with sentimentality, but with theological precision. “The Word became flesh.” The One who spoke the universe into existence chose to enter that very universe as a helpless infant. The Creator became part of creation. The Author of life experienced birth. The King of heaven arrived not in power and spectacle, but in humility and vulnerability.
From a theological standpoint, the incarnation reveals something profound about the character of God. He is not distant or detached from humanity’s struggles. He did not shout instructions from heaven or send a message through an intermediary alone. Instead, He came personally. He entered our world, our limitations, and our suffering. This act demonstrates both His holiness and His love—His holiness, because only a perfect Savior could reconcile humanity to God; His love, because He willingly drew near to rescue those who could not rescue themselves.
Historically, the birth of Jesus marks a turning point for humanity. Time itself is divided around this moment. Spiritually, it opens the door to salvation. Personally, it means that God understands the human experience from the inside. He knows hunger, weariness, temptation, and sorrow—not as an observer, but as one who has lived it.
So even in May, far removed from the decorations and traditions of Christmas, the miracle remains just as extraordinary. The incarnation reminds us that God did not remain far away. He came near. He entered our story so that we could be invited into His.
”The Almighty appeared on earth as a helpless human baby, needing to be fed and changed and taught to talk like any other human child. The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets. Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as this truth of the Incarnation.” JJ Packer
Something to prayerfully consider today: What does it mean to you personally that God chose to come near—to live among us—rather than remain distant from our struggles?
