Have you ever sat through a children’s play that unraveled right before your eyes? Kids forget their lines, knock over the props, crash into each other, and chaos ensues. The play director stands to the side and cringes—wishing they could step onto the stage to save the play from further embarrassment. At Christmas each year, we remember that God did just that. Not only the director of the play but the author himself stepped onto the stage and into the chaos. 

The staggering claim of Christmas is that the baby depicted in our nativity scenes was not just an inspiring prophet or motivational leader, but He was and is God. God in the flesh. God come to earth as a human. God, who is Spirit, becoming like one of his creatures. The author of the story becoming one of the characters. 

This is the doctrine theologians call the incarnation. The British theologian JI Packer called the incarnation the “mysterious miracle at the heart of historic Christianity.” The incarnation of Jesus has immense implications for our lives. It teaches us that we are not and will never be alone—God came near. It teaches us that true greatness is found in humility and service. It teaches us that all of life is sacred. From our work, to our friendships, to our hobbies everything is endowed with purpose. Finally, the incarnation teaches the lengths that God is willing to go to show you his love.