The theology of Christmas: The Incarnation
Albert Einstein, one of the most brilliant minds in history, transformed our understanding of the universe. His theory of relativity reshaped physics, while his discovery of the photoelectric effect won him the Nobel Prize in 1921. Yet, for all his genius, Einstein famously dismissed trivial facts. When asked how many feet are in a mile, he replied, “I do not clutter my mind with insignificant information that I can find in less than two minutes in a book.”
Though Einstein acknowledged a divine order in the universe, he rejected the God of the Bible — the personal God who is both knowable and redemptive. He once remarked, “The more I study science, the more I believe in God,” but tragically, he never came to know the one true and living God.
This contrast between human intellect and divine revelation sets the stage for John 1:14, a verse that declares the profound truth at the heart of Christmas: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” In this one staggering statement in John 1:14, we see a God who enters His creation, reveals His glory, and provides grace and truth for fallen sinners.
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The Word became flesh
John begins this verse with a profound declaration: “The Word became flesh.” This phrase encapsulates the mystery of the incarnation, where the eternal Logos took on human nature without ceasing to be divine.
The term Logos (λόγος) was familiar to John’s Greek and Jewish audiences, but John redefines it in the opening of his Gospel. For Greek philosophers like Heraclitus, the Logos referred to the rational principle and non-personal deity governing the universe. But John declares that the Logos (Word) is not an impersonal force but a person — Jesus Christ, who was both with God and was God (John 1:1).
Jesus, the eternal Word, is the Creator of all things (John 1:3). He is the “I AM” who declared, “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58) and “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). Jesus is sovereign over creation, having formed humanity in His image, established the laws of nature, and upholds the cosmos by His power. As the Nicene Creed affirms, He is “very God of very God,” worthy of all worship.
John’s declaration that “the Word became flesh” unveils the miracle of the incarnation. The eternal Son of God entered His creation by taking on human nature. This is the mystery that Thomas Watson called “the infinite love of God.” Christ did not cease to be God but added humanity to His deity, becoming truly God and truly man.
Consider the humility of the incarnation: the creator of the universe was born in a lowly stable, veiled in flesh, and subjected to the limitations of humanity in his human nature. Charles Wesley beautifully captures this truth in his hymn:
“Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.”
The incarnation is not only a theological truth but a deeply personal one. Without the Word becoming flesh, humanity would remain lost in sin, alienated from God. As Watson reminds us, “Had not Christ been made flesh, we had been made a curse.”
The Word tabernacled among us
John continues, “and dwelt among us.” The Greek word for “dwelt” (σκηνόω) means “to take up residence, or to pitch a tent,” evoking the imagery of the Old Testament tabernacle where God’s presence dwelled among His people.
In Exodus, God commanded Moses to construct the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary where His presence would reside. The tabernacle was central to Israel’s worship, housing the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark’s mercy seat was the place of atonement, where the high priest sprinkled the sacrificial blood once per year on the Day of Atonement.
This structure symbolized God’s desire to dwell among His people, yet it was limited by layers of separation. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once every year. When John writes that Jesus “dwelt among us,” he declares that Christ is the fulfillment of the tabernacle. Unlike the temporary, veiled presence of God in the Old Testament, in the person of Jesus God’s presence is fully revealed. As Hebrews 1:3 states, He is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature.”
Through Christ, humanity can approach God directly, without fear or separation. He is not only the greater High Priest who offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice, but he is the greater tabernacle granting access to the Father for all who believe. This is the wonder and thrilling truth of the birth of Jesus that is celebrated at Christmas.
The Word revealed the glory of God
John writes, “We have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.” The incarnation reveals the radiant glory of God in a way that humanity could see, hear, feel, and touch.
Throughout Scripture, God’s glory is depicted as overwhelming and unapproachable. At Mount Sinai, God’s presence was so terrifying that the Israelites trembled in fear (Exodus 19). When Moses asked to see God’s glory, he was only permitted a partial glimpse, for no one could see God and live (Exodus 33:20). In the tabernacle and later the temple, God’s glory filled the sanctuary, yet it remained hidden behind the veil.
In Jesus, the glory of God is fully revealed. At the transfiguration, Peter, James, and John witnessed His divine majesty shining through His humanity (Matthew 17:2). After His resurrection, Paul encountered the risen Christ in glory, a vision so blinding it left him temporarily blind (Acts 9:3–9).
Jesus’ miracles also revealed His glory, demonstrating His divine authority over sickness, nature, and even death. From calming the storm to raising Lazarus, each miracle pointed to His identity as the Son of God. Even as Jesus’ deity was clothed in human flesh, it could not veil his glory. Throughout his earthly ministry, bursts of glory and rays of his majesty are visibly seen in his powerful miracles. Yet, the greatest display of His glory was seen in His humility and suffering. On the cross, Jesus bore the wrath of God for sinners, displaying the glory of divine love and justice and the vindication of it all was his glorious resurrection.
The Word delivered grace and truth
Finally, John declares that Jesus is “full of grace and truth.” These two attributes summarize the purpose of the incarnation: to bring salvation through grace and to reveal the truth of God.
Grace is the unmerited favor of God toward sinners. In Jesus, grace is personified and extended to all who believe. As Paul writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). From His first breath in Bethlehem to His final cry on the cross, Jesus’ life was marked by grace. He came not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17). His death and resurrection provide eternal life to those who trust in Him.
Jesus not only embodies grace but also truth. He declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). In a world filled with deception, Jesus stands as the ultimate standard of truth. His teachings reveal the truth about God, humanity, and salvation. He exposed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, corrected false interpretations of Scripture, and proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom. As the Spirit of Truth, Jesus sanctifies believers, transforming them into His likeness through the power of the Word (John 17:17).
The incarnation is the foundation of the Christian faith. In Jesus, the eternal Word became flesh, dwelt among us, revealed God’s glory, and brought grace and truth to a lost world. As we celebrate Christmas, let us marvel at the humility and majesty of Christ, who entered His creation to redeem it. And let us live in anticipation of the day when He will dwell with His people forever:
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God” (Revelation 21:3).
This is the true theology of Christmas: God became man so that we might dwell with Him in glory. Let us worship the incarnate Word, our Immanuel.
Originally published at G3 Ministries.
Josh Buice serves as the pastor of Pray’s Mill Baptist Church, a 180-year-old church where G3 Conferences began. Josh is the husband to Kari and father of four children: Karis, John Mark, Kalli, and Judson. He studied at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned his MDiv and DMin in expository preaching. He also serves as Assistant Professor of Preaching for Grace Bible Theological Seminary in Conway, Arkansas. Josh has a passion for biblical preaching, missions, church planting, and the local church. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, running, hunting, and spending time with his family.
