GOD'S HUMAN IMPRINT (3 OF 52)
Scripture: Romans 1:1-6, Hebrews 1:1-4, Hebrews 1
This content is part of a series.
God's Human Imprint (3 of 52)
Series: Discipleship Part Three
Christopher B. Harbin
Romans 1:1-6; Hebrews 1:1-4
We have a tendency to misrepresent Christmas. Our media regale us with stories of Santa Claus, presents, trees, reindeer, snow, mistletoe, and holiday decorations. When stories get more religious, we hear of magi, shepherds, barn animals, and innkeepers. Mostly, however, that still misses the point. We are convinced to focus on a baby in a manger, but that is not quite the Bible's central focus. Beyond the glitter and songs regarding a baby, do we recognize God's becoming human to live among us?
The birth narratives in Matthew and Luke do not present some idyllic setting of a baby who never cries. The shepherds on the hillside were not mentioned as a pastoral scene for greeting cards. These narratives declare that God took part in the human condition, being born as any one of us. God did not remain aloof and distanced from what it means to live on earth as a human being. Instead, Jesus embraced humanity alongside us as a common man, personally experiencing what it means to live, work, sweat, and walk the dusty trails of a commoner's life.
Mark dispenses with birth narratives altogether, introducing Jesus with his baptism at the hands of John. John's gospel begins recasting of the Genesis 1 narrative, portraying Jesus as the Active Word of God who brought life into existence mid a primordial chaos. The author of Hebrews explains that God stepped beyond the limitations of using prophets and messengers to enter our history more directly. Paul tells us that in his birth, Jesus evidenced his humanity as one of David's descendants. He also tells us that it is in his resurrection that we see the fullness of Jesus' divinity.
The meaning of Christmas is that God became flesh, fully experiencing life as a human being. By such, God's full character was placed on display such that we might touch, see, and better understand. God did not remain aloof o ...
Series: Discipleship Part Three
Christopher B. Harbin
Romans 1:1-6; Hebrews 1:1-4
We have a tendency to misrepresent Christmas. Our media regale us with stories of Santa Claus, presents, trees, reindeer, snow, mistletoe, and holiday decorations. When stories get more religious, we hear of magi, shepherds, barn animals, and innkeepers. Mostly, however, that still misses the point. We are convinced to focus on a baby in a manger, but that is not quite the Bible's central focus. Beyond the glitter and songs regarding a baby, do we recognize God's becoming human to live among us?
The birth narratives in Matthew and Luke do not present some idyllic setting of a baby who never cries. The shepherds on the hillside were not mentioned as a pastoral scene for greeting cards. These narratives declare that God took part in the human condition, being born as any one of us. God did not remain aloof and distanced from what it means to live on earth as a human being. Instead, Jesus embraced humanity alongside us as a common man, personally experiencing what it means to live, work, sweat, and walk the dusty trails of a commoner's life.
Mark dispenses with birth narratives altogether, introducing Jesus with his baptism at the hands of John. John's gospel begins recasting of the Genesis 1 narrative, portraying Jesus as the Active Word of God who brought life into existence mid a primordial chaos. The author of Hebrews explains that God stepped beyond the limitations of using prophets and messengers to enter our history more directly. Paul tells us that in his birth, Jesus evidenced his humanity as one of David's descendants. He also tells us that it is in his resurrection that we see the fullness of Jesus' divinity.
The meaning of Christmas is that God became flesh, fully experiencing life as a human being. By such, God's full character was placed on display such that we might touch, see, and better understand. God did not remain aloof o ...
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