When God Became Man – Part 1

We are in a season when our culture has Christmas on the mind.  Regardless of how or even if people celebrate the holiday, Christmas is a focus for many.  Although the early church did not celebrate Christ’s birth, I believe that we can use this season as an avenue to declare why God became man.

 

Charles Wesley wrote in his great hymn, Hark the Herald Angels Sing:

 

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored; 

Christ the everlasting Lord; 

Late in time, behold Him come, 

Offspring of a virgin’s womb. 

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; 

Hail the incarnate Deity, 

Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, 

Jesus our Emmanuel.

 

In order to effectively communicate that Immanuel (Jesus, “The With-Us God”) desires to live in them through the Holy Spirit, we first must understand this truth for ourselves. 

Immanuel’s Birth Announcement

Matthew 1:18-25

1. Immanuel had a supernatural birth with a unique parent, the Holy Spirit.  Matthew 1:18, 20; Luke 1:35; Galatians 4:4
2. Immanuel would be the solution to the sin problem.  Matthew 1:21; Jeremiah 23:5-7
3. Immanuel’s arrival to planet earth was announced 700 years beforehand through the prophet Isaiah.  Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Micah 5:2

 

Hark! The herald angels sing,

Glory to the newborn King;

Peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!

Joyful, all ye nations rise,

Join the triumph of the skies;

With th’angelic host proclaim,

Christ is born in Bethlehem!