The story of Christmas often feels like a fairy tale: the serene manger, the glowing star, the angelic choirs singing of peace on earth. But the miracle of Christmas goes far deeper than the polished narratives we preach. It’s about Incarnation—The Word becoming flesh, not in grandeur but in simplicity, humility, and presence. God and Man fully one.

The Apostle Paul described the Incarnation in Philippians 2:3-7, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”

The emptying of Jesus was a mystery of the Gospel, and Its invitation. Meister Eckhart said, “We are all meant to be mothers of God, for God is always needing to be born.” This is the radical invitation of Christmas: to live incarnational lives, bringing peace and love into the world as Christ did. Far from a fairy tale, it was the beginning of a narrative that every believer would have to undergo to become a disciple of Jesus.

God’s Rebellion of Love in a World of Power

In the context of the Greco-Roman world, where emperor worship and propaganda dominated the cultural and political landscape, the message of the Gospels was nothing short of revolutionary. Caesar was proclaimed as the “Son of God” and the “bringer of peace,” but the New Testament subverted this narrative. It declared that true peace didn’t come through political power or military might but rather the humble birth of Jesus in a manger declared freely “on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased” (Luke 2:14).

Hildegard of Bingen noted, “The Word was clothed in flesh, and in this incarnation, the world blossomed in joy.” God’s entry into the world was an apolitical rebellion—a declaration that love, humility, and community were more powerful than any man-made empire. It was finally a message of peace, hope, and joy even in the midst of dark and uncertain times, when we feel like we do not matter in the world. Jesus’ life and message stood in stark contrast to the imperial cult, offering a vision of a kingdom rooted in love and compassion rather than domination.

Jesus’ Kingdom has outlasted every “kingdom” since and will continue to.

The Manger: A Starting Point for Radical Love

The incarnation wasn’t just an event; it was a declaration of God’s solidarity with humanity. Dietrich Bonhoeffer echoed this reality when he wrote, “God is not ashamed of the lowliness of human beings. He enters right into it. He chooses people as His instruments and performs His wonders where one would least expect them.” The manger in Bethlehem wasn’t a stage for a fairy tale but the starting point of a life lived in the midst of pain, struggle, and hope.

This Truth smacks us in the midst of the noise and stress of life and forces us to consider how we live out this life. In John 20:21, Jesus tells His disciples, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” We are called to live as Christ lived—to be one with Him and with one another, just as He is one with the Father (John 17:21). This unity compels us to live incarnationally, bringing God’s peace and presence into the world. And the Incarnation means we do it with people, those closest in our proximity…and those furthest.

The Call to Manger Moments in Our Lives

The incarnation calls us to the “manger moments” of our lives: the small acts of love, the quiet courage to be where others won’t, and the faith to trust when everything feels uncertain. Meister Eckhart’s words challenge us: “What good is it to me if the eternal birth of the divine Son takes place unceasingly but does not take place within myself?” The audacity of Christmas isn’t just that Christ came to the world but that He invites us to follow His example—to embody His love and bring it into the world.

An Incarnational Life in a Divided World

This isn’t easy. Jesus made that clear. The world’s narratives often preach fear, division, and despair. The Greco-Roman empire used propaganda to instill loyalty, but the Gospel calls us to something different. Christmas is a daring declaration of hope and joy in the face of those narratives. It’s a proclamation that “peace on earth” is possible because God is already with us and “them“. Hildegard of Bingen observed, “Glance at the sun. See the moon and the stars. Gaze at the beauty of earth’s greenings. Now, think. What delight God gives to humankind with all these things.” God makes the rain fall on the wicked and righteous. The wicked assume their righteousness – the righteous wrestle with their wickedness and find salvation. We are called to carry this delight into our worlds and narratives, even when they seem determined to get in the way of it.

Loving and Appreciating Your Circle

In the end, Bonhoeffer reminds us, “That which we come to for help is the help we are called to become.” The incarnation isn’t just a comfort; it’s a commission. It’s an invitation to trust God’s presence in every moment and to live lives that reflect His love. As we move into 2025, let’s remember that the God who entered the manger enters our lives every day.

Take a moment to reflect on your “circle”—the people who make up your daily life. The incarnation teaches us to go out of our way to love and appreciate others, not for what they do but simply because they exist. The Incarnation then becomes a catalyst, inviting us and others to dwell in peace and experience joy. It’s the small acts that are the essence of living incarnationally—being in God’s love with the world.

The Incarnation is a brilliant light in human history that also shines Its spotlight on us. This Christmas, may we not only celebrate the miracle of Christ’s birth but also embrace the call to live as He lived. Peace on earth begins with us—with the lives we live, the love we share, and the Spirit we carry into the world. Wherever we are this Christmas, love and be grateful, give some love and joy away – and be present enough to be seen, to see, and to accept.

Every day is an incarnation of God’s love, as is every person.