Beloved, Merry Christmas!

"5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" Philippians 2:5-11.

Incarnation. The word is different from carnation as in “carnation milk.” It is different from coronation as in “crowning.” Incarnation is a theological word derived from the Latin verb incarnare, which means “to make flesh” or “the act of being made flesh.” This applies to only one person that I know: Jesus the Christ. God, Jesus, the Son of God, took on human flesh. Jesus' two natures, human and divine, are inseparable. It is something the human mind cannot grasp.

Hypostatic union. It is similar to the incarnation. and is another theological term that is used to describe how God the Son, Jesus Christ, took on a human nature, but was still fully God at the same time. I know that Jesus always had been God. That is why I believe in Him as my personal Saviour and Lord and that is why I celebrate Christmas: because He took on the form of humanity so He can identify with the feelings of my infirmities.

Now, look at our opening passage again. Read it slowly, prayerfully and read it meditatively. It is about Christmas and as far as I am concerned, it is the greatest teaching and declaration of Jesus' deity and humanity. This is what I am saying, that Jesus, in His humanity, when He was born as a baby, never ceased to be God neither did He replace or substitute His deity with humanity. Rather, He added humanity to His deity. It is something the human mind cannot fully grasp.

What am I saying? That as man, Jesus simply surrendered the independent use of those magnificent powers that is solely His and which He used to create the universe. He, as it were, gave up the right to manifest His glory in God. Look at our passage again. In John 17:5 Jesus prayed thus: “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” In Philippians 2:9-11 came the answer to that prayer.

Beloved, Jesus, the Son of God came in the flesh, was born into this world in order to be the Saviour of all mankind. By “all mankind” I mean whoever will receive Him He will give the power to become the son of God. If you have done so, then you are able to celebrate Christmas meaningfully, with hope and with expectation for His second appearing.

Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels say
"Glory to the newborn King!"
I know, the angels did not sing that's why the word is substituted with “say.”

Proposed prayer: Dear Father, Thank You for taking on human flesh just so I will have the assurance and comfort that You do indeed identify with me and all of humanity. Thank You for the faith You have given me to trust You. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

S. Atta Owusu.
Merry, Merry Christmas to you all.