Historically, it is a well-established fact that Jesus of Nazareth was born in Bethlehem in the days of Herod the King. Matthew and Luke record our Lordβs arrival with remarkable simplicity that even a child can understand. But it is the Apostle to the Gentiles who explains theΒ significanceΒ of the incarnation of Christ.
According to Paul
βWhen Christ left heavenβs glory, He as God,Β emptiedΒ Himself of the outward manifestation of His attributes. It was essential that the LordΒ veilΒ the glory of His deity so sinful humanity could exist in His presenceβ (Philippians 2:6,7).
βChristβs entrance into the world was through natural means like any other birth. He was born of the woman that He might accomplish the great work of redemptionβ (Galatians 4:4,5).
βOur Lord humbled Himself by stepping into a sinless human form so that He might experience all the trials and temptations we encounter. Therefore, He took upon Himself the form of a servant that He might minister to othersβ (Philippians 2:7,8).
βInto this pure, sinless vessel was poured our sins and iniquities. As a result, He was made sin for us so that His righteousness might be imputed to usβ (II CorinthiansΒ 5:21).
The Manger and the Cross stand at the opposite ends of our Lordβs earthly life, but they are uniquely connected by a special revelation given to Paul that βChrist JesusΒ cameΒ into the world toΒ save sinners.β It has been said, βThough Christ a thousand times in Bethlehem be born, if Heβs not born in you, your soul is still forlorn.β
Although tradition often overshadows the truth, may God, in His infinite grace, use us as instruments to show a lost and dying world the Way, which is Christ Jesus. source
