The Light That Changes Everything, Reflections on Incarnation

January 7th, 2025
by Subsplash Pulpit AI Software

The Light That Changes Everything: Reflections on the Incarnation

As we bid farewell to the Christmas season and step into the new year, it's the perfect time to reflect on one of the most profound mysteries of our faith: the incarnation of Jesus Christ. This concept, far from being a dusty theological idea, has the power to radically transform our lives and our relationship with God.

The Gospel of John opens with a breathtaking declaration: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." These words echo the opening of Genesis, drawing a direct line between the creation of the world and the coming of Christ. Just as God spoke light into existence at the dawn of time, Jesus comes as the true light, illuminating the darkness of our world and our hearts.

This imagery of light and darkness runs throughout John's Gospel, presenting us with a stark choice. We're called to decide: will we live in the light, or cling to the shadows? There's no middle ground, no comfortable grey area. We're either moving towards the light of Christ or away from it.

But what does it mean for the Word to become flesh? The Christmas carol "O Come All Ye Faithful" captures this mystery beautifully:

"God of God and light of light begotten, Lo, he abhors not the virgin's womb. Very God begotten, not created."

These lyrics, echoing the ancient Nicene Creed, remind us that Jesus is both fully God and fully human. He is the eternal Son of God, present at creation, who chose to enter our world as a vulnerable baby. This incarnation – God taking on human flesh – changes everything.

Before Christ's birth, humanity's relationship with God was distant. We couldn't truly see, hear, or know God in the intimate way we can now. The incarnation bridges that gap. In Jesus, we have "intimate, palpable, corporeal access to the cosmic reality of God." The invisible becomes visible, the untouchable becomes embraceable.

Theologians speak of two "nativities" of Christ – His eternal existence as the Son of God, and His birth in Bethlehem. But there's a crucial third nativity we must consider: the birth of Christ in our own hearts.

This is where the rubber meets the road. The incarnation isn't just a historical event or a theological concept – it's an invitation to personal transformation. When we truly grasp that God became human to reach us, it should revolutionize how we live.

So, what difference does the incarnation make in your life? This is a deeply personal question that each of us must answer. While we can't tell someone else's story, we can reflect on our own journey from darkness to light.

For many, encountering the living Christ means a radical shift in priorities and perspective:

Selfish desires give way to compassion for others.
The pursuit of wealth and status loses its allure compared to meaningful relationships and service.
Prayer transforms from a duty into a cherished time of connection with God.
Scripture study becomes a journey of discovery rather than an academic exercise.
Political divisions and judgments of others fade in importance compared to seeing the inherent worth in every person.
We become more aware of our own limitations and more reliant on God's grace.
The light of Christ, when it truly penetrates our hearts, exposes our flaws but also illuminates a path forward. We find ourselves slowly but surely being changed from the inside out.

This transformation isn't instant or perfect. The "old self" doesn't disappear overnight. But over time, we should be able to look back and see genuine growth. We may not be where we want to be yet, but thank God we're not where we used to be!

The beauty of this "third nativity" – Christ born in us – is that it's deeply personal yet universally available. Each person's story of encountering God's light will be unique, but the offer is open to all. The light of Christ shines for everyone, waiting to be embraced.

As we move into a new year, let's challenge ourselves to reflect on how the incarnation has changed us. How has the reality of "God with us" reshaped your worldview, your relationships, your sense of purpose? What areas of your life still need to be brought into the light?

More importantly, how can we share this transformative light with others? In a world often shrouded in darkness – conflict, despair, loneliness – we have the incredible privilege of bearing witness to hope. Not through judgment or hollow words, but by living as changed people, radiating the compassion and love of Christ.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. This astounding truth isn't meant to remain a theological concept, but to be lived out in flesh and blood – our flesh and blood. May we continually open our hearts to that divine light, allowing it to illuminate every corner of our being.

As we do, we join in the cosmic story that began "in the beginning." We become part of God's ongoing work of creation, speaking light into dark places and offering glimpses of His glory to a world in need. The incarnation reminds us that our material, everyday lives matter profoundly to God. He entered our messy, beautiful, physical reality, forever affirming its value and potential for redemption.

So, let the light shine. Let it expose what needs changing in your life. Let it warm your heart towards others. Let it guide your steps in this new year. And may we all, in our own unique ways, become living testimonies to the transformative power of the Word made flesh.