Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ, the Word of God made flesh among us!
In a world entrenched with division, where homes, countries, and individuals grapple with discord, the incarnation of God in Jesus is as a beacon of hope and reconciliation. We find ourselves immersed in the challenges of our time, yearning for unity amidst the cacophony of conflicting voices.
Two thousand years ago, God enfleshed his very divine, incomprehensible self in the person of Jesus, stepping into the messiness of human existence. This enfleshment wasn’t a distant, lofty idea but a tangible, relatable act—a God who chose to walk among us, to understand our struggles intimately. It’s a story of God meeting humanity at our level, not from above, but from within our midst.
In the throes of contemporary divisions, the incarnation calls us to a profound truth: God understands our fractures because he chose to dwell among brokenness. God isn’t an abstract deity observing from a distance; our God is a God who rolled up his sleeves, got his hands dirty, and embraced the human experience in all its beauty and brokenness.
As Christians, we’re beckoned to embody this spirit of incarnation—to be enfleshed agents of reconciliation. It’s a call to engage with the complexities of our world, to bridge divides with empathy, and to heal wounds with the balm of compassion. The narrative of Jesus’ enfleshment challenges us to transcend our comfort zones, forging connections that defy the divisive forces of our time.
In homes strained by differences, the incarnational message invites us to see the image of God in each family member. It’s a reminder that our homes can be sanctuaries of love, where understanding triumphs over discord. The God who embraced humanity in Jesus challenges us to embrace one another with the same love and grace.
Amidst national and global rifts, the incarnation prompts us to be ambassadors of unity. It’s a call to transcend political, cultural, and ideological boundaries, recognizing the inherent dignity of every individual. As enfleshed beings, we carry the responsibility to build bridges instead of walls, fostering understanding and cooperation on both a small and a grand scale. And what’s more, within the depths of our individual selves—often torn by doubt, fear, and internal conflicts—the incarnational message echoes with profound relevance. God, in Christ, enfleshed himself to reveal the depth of his love for each of us. This grace-full act transforms our self-perception, reminding us that we are cherished, valued, and intimately known.
The challenge laid before us is to extend this knowledge to others, becoming instruments of healing in a world wounded by division. When we encounter our fellow humans, we’re called to see beyond the surface, recognizing the face of Jesus in everyone we encounter. The incarnation, in this context, becomes an accelerant for empathy, igniting us to walk alongside others in their struggles and joys.
And so, the incarnation of God in Jesus isn’t just a historical story, but a living reality for navigating the divisive currents of our own lives. As Christians, we’re summoned to be embodiments of this incarnational spirit, fostering unity in our homes and lives. Christmas comes with a challenge—a challenge to be enfleshed ambassadors of reconciliation, inspired by the same God who, in Jesus, opened wide his arms to draw us into his embrace.
Abundant blessings be upon each and every one of you, and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding fill you completely that you may lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called.
Your brother in Christ,
Pastor Daniel
The Rev'd Daniel W. Spigelmyer, Jr. 