Christmas and Communion

John writes: In the beginning was the Word…and the Word was God…and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (Jn 1:1, 14). The eternal Son became God incarnate. In Jesus deity and humanity are joined together. Two distinct natures; divine and human, are eternally united in the God-Man. Two questions naturally emerge: How did God the Son become the God-Man? Why would God become a man?

Regarding the “How,” Luke tells us the Son of God took unto Himself a sinless human nature by the miracle of the virgin birth. He writes: “The angel Gabriel was sent by God to … a virgin … [whose] name was Mary… [He] said to her … ‘you will bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. … The Holy Spirit will come upon you and power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Lk. 1:26-27, 31-35).

Regarding the “Why,” Matthew records the angel's words to Joseph, “Mary … will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.'” (Mt. 1:21). God the Holy Spirit formed within Mary's womb the sinless humanity of our Lord, to which the eternal Son united Himself. God the Son became the Babe of Bethlehem for the purpose of our salvation (1 Tim 1:15)