God Becomes Man – The Incarnation

God Becomes Man – The Incarnation Luke 1:5 - 2:52, Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1-23, John 1:1-18

The Incarnation • God becomes flesh/Jesus becomes man • The central event in history • Everything is dated according to this event • Jesus, existing from eternity becomes a man • A real man who is born; he dies • From the line of David • The genealogies in the Gospels (Matthew and Luke) show that Christ fulfills Scripture • Matthew – from Abraham to Christ (Jewish) • Luke – from Adam to Christ (Gentile)

The Infancy Narratives • The stories of the birth of Jesus are found in Matthew and Luke: • Matthew • Focuses on Jesus fulfilling the OT • The person of Joseph • The visit of the Three Kings • Luke • Focuses on Jesus coming for all • The person of Mary • The visit of the shepherds

According to Luke…The Annunciation of the Birth of John the Baptist (Lk 1:5 – 1:25) • Message to Zechariah • He goes alone to the sanctuary • He is told by Gabriel that his wife will bear a son • John the Baptist • Linked to Samson (Nazarite) • No wine, claimed by God • Zechariah doubts and asks for a sign, he is struck dumb (unable to speak) • Elizabeth conceives

The Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus (Lk 1:26 – 1:38) • Gabriel – “Power of God” • Mary and Joseph – descendants of David • Mary = Myriam, Mariam (popular name) • Parents are Anna and Joachim • Only couple to conceive a child without original sin • Immaculate Conception – December 8 • Birth of Mary – September 8 • Joseph • Carpenter/Poor

The Annunciation • The engagement of Joseph and Mary • Betrothed = Engaged • They were considered husband and wife (still live at home) • After one year the bride would be carried to the house prepared by the husband • Needed approval of the bride’s father/Bride must be a virgin

The Annunciation • Message to Mary through Gabriel (6 months after appearance to Zechariah) • Celebrated on March 25 • “Hail Mary, full of grace…” - (the prayer) • No one in all of Scripture is addressed this way

The Annunciation • Message to Mary through Gabriel • She asks how, is told it is to be a virginal conception – “…the Holy Spirit will come upon you…” (v. 35) • “Be it done to me according to thy word…” – YES!! – The Fiat • Christ at conception receives human nature in addition to the divine (God) nature He has always had • Human life begins at conception!! • John’s Gospel – “In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was made flesh… “ (Logos)

Mary Visits ElizabethThe Visitation (Lk 1: 39-45) • Mary is told about Elizabeth from Gabriel • “The babe leaped…” • “Blessed are you among women…” • Mary stays until John is born - “God is gracious” • Mary becomes the new Ark of the Covenant (2 Sam. 6-11)

The Song of Mary – The Magnificat (Lk 1: 46-56) • “My soul magnifies in the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God, My Savior…” • Mary’s song of praise and gratitude for all the good things God has done for her • She expresses the joy for the poor; God has saved His people

The Birth of John the Baptist (Lk 1: 57-66) • Zechariah writes “His name is John” and then his mouth is opened in prayer and praise… • The Song of Zechariah – The Benedictus • “Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel for He has visited and redeemed His people…” • Verses 76 & 77 describe the role of John = preparing for Jesus

The Birth of Jesus (Lk 2: 1-7) • The Census • Emperor Caesar Augustus orders a census • Husbands go to the town of the family’s origin • Bethlehem • Rachel is buried there, David was born there • A town of 1000 residents crammed with David’s descendants

The Birth of Jesus • Christ is Born • The need for privacy led them to a cave (stable) • The child is born surrounded by animals

Glad Tidings to the Shepherds (Lk 2: 8-20) • The first to adore the baby Jesus • Shepherds were the lowest and poorest members of society • Verse 10 – “I bring you news of great joy!” • Verse 14 – “Glory to God in the Highest” is the angels’ song of praise…The “Gloria” at Mass finds its beginnings here • They are the first to preach about the child Jesus as Messiah

Circumcision and Presentation (Lk 2: 22-38) • Circumcision • After 8 days Jesus is circumcised by Joseph • Presentation • After 40 days, they presented Jesus in the Temple • Mary must be purified and Jesus must be bought back from God!

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple • Simeon is in the temple – it was revealed to him by God that he would not die until he saw Jesus • Canticle of Simeon (v. 29-32) – Simeon says he can now die because he has seen God’s salvation who is the light of the Gentiles • V. 35 – Simeon predicts Mary’s suffering at the Passion… • “A sword will pierce your heart…” • Anna, a prophetess, a holy and devout widow also sees Jesus

Jesus Shows Himself in the Temple (Lk 2: 41-51) • Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem for Passover every year • When Jesus was 12 he went with them • They traveled with a large party of people and stayed in Jerusalem for 8 days • They would buy a lamb in the Court of the Gentiles, sacrifice it and bring the meat to the house where the family would have the meal • At the end of 8 days Joseph and Mary go back to Nazareth in a big group

He is Missing!! • They realize that Jesus is missing and go back to Jerusalem • They find him in the Temple • v. 46 - He was in a group questioning, and answering questions from the teachers • All are “amazed” at his wisdom and answers! • Mary tells him how worried they are • He simply replies that he was in his Father’s house, of course! • After this he returns to Nazareth and “is subject to them” • This is the obedience of the 4th Commandment

The Infancy Narratives According to St. Matthew • The Announcement to Joseph of the Birth of Jesus (Mt 1: 18-25) • Mary, though “betrothed to Joseph” is with child • Joseph decides to divorce her quietly • v. 20 – The angel explains… Mary conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit • Matthew reminds us (v. 23) that Jesus fulfills the prophet Isaiah (Emmanuel = God with us) • Jesus = “The Lord saves” • Joseph brings Mary into her house

The Wise Men of the East (Mt 2:1-12) • Recorded in Matthew • They go to Jerusalem looking for the King of the Jews • The Wise Men go to Herod to find Jesus • Herod summons the Chief Priests and Scribes and they quote Micah 5:2 regarding the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem • He tries to keep it between the Magi and himself with the intention of killing Jesus

Three Reactions to the Birth of Jesus • Hostility – Herod wants to kill Jesus • Indifference – Religious leaders show no interest • Adoration – The Wise Men adore Jesus and bring gifts

The Symbolism of the Three Gifts • Gold – Jesus is King • Frankincense – Jesus is Priest • Myrrh – Jesus is Redeemer – He dies for us • Wise men are told not to return to Herod • The Epiphany (Manifestation) of Jesus to the world!

The Flight to Egypt and The Slaughter of the Children • An angel appears to Joseph and says that Herod wants to kill Jesus; leave for Egypt for safety (Mt 2: 13-15) • Herod orders the death of all male children under the age of two (v. 16-18) • These children are called the Holy Innocents who died and are celebrated on Dec 28

God Becomes Man – The Incarnation