The Incarnation: Finding God's Love in the Humble Birth of Jesus (Advent Reflection)
“And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” Luke 2:7
On this final Sunday of Advent, our minds turn to the love that is at the heart of this season. The Incarnation is the greatest act of love the world has ever known. God took on human flesh and came among us as a baby. This is a profound mystery.
The Incarnation is the ultimate demonstration of God’s love. God stepped into human history, not as a distant observer but as a participant in our frailty. Jesus came not to condemn but to save, offering himself as a bridge between sinful humanity and a holy God. Through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus made a way for us to experience forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life.
The birth of Jesus Christ is one of the most astonishing events in history. The eternal Son of God, through whom all things were created, entered the world not in splendor but in the humblest of circumstances. Because Joseph and Mary were of modest means, the birth of Jesus was very humble. Because of the crowd in the village, Jesus was laid in a manger – a feeding trough for animals – because there was no room for them in the inn.
This humble setting speaks volumes about the character of God. Rather than coming as a conquering king surrounded by wealth and power, Jesus came as a vulnerable baby. The first to hear of his birth were not rulers or religious elites but shepherds, considered among the lowest in society. Jesus’ humble beginning reminds us that God’s ways are not like ours. He does not measure greatness by status or wealth but by love, humility, and service. This wonder-filled moment reveals the heart of God – a God who draws near to the lowly and lifts them up.
The lowly nature of Christ’s birth calls for a response. The humility of Christ’s birth invites us to abandon our pride and self-sufficiency, recognizing that salvation is a gift we could never earn. Our first response must be one of awe and gratitude, thanking God for His unfathomable love and grace. But this gratitude should also lead to action. If God so loved the lowly and came to serve, we too are called to reflect his love by serving others, especially the needy and forgotten. When we feed the hungry, clothe the poor, or simply show kindness to someone in need, we honor the humility of the one who lay in a manger.
The humility of Jesus’ birth challenges us to reassess our values. By seeking simplicity, practicing generosity, and loving others sacrificially, we embody the heart of the Christmas story. We stand in awe of what God has done. May our lives reflect our Savior’s character to those around us.