“The incarnation of Christ is an unrepeatable event, just as surely as the incarnate Lord is a unique person. But the incarnation has great practical applications for life. In light of it, we should do the following.
First, seek after Christ through the gospel. Thomas Watson said, “So look unto him, as to believe in him, that so Christ may not only be united to our nature, but to our persons.”
Second, receive Christ as the only Mediator. Thomas Goodwin urged, “Is Christ every way so fit a Saviour? Then choose him, and rest in him alone.”
Third, magnify God’s love for giving us his Son. Goodwin said, “For him to be made a creature is more than for us to become nothing, or for an angel to become a worm.”
Fourth, marvel at Christ as the supernatural Savior. Christ is a living miracle, God’s glory in human form. Owen said that Christ’s incarnation “is above all miracles.”
Fifth, look to Christ to reveal God’s glory to you. The Word became flesh (John 1:14). Thus, as James Ussher said, Christ is “God revealed in the flesh.”
Sixth, know Christ as your elder brother. Christ “is not ashamed to call them brethren” (Heb. 2:11). Wilhelmus à Brakel said, “This yields boldness and familiarity to bring all our needs before Him, who, being man Himself, understands man’s frame of mind when he suffers pain.”
Seventh, follow Christ in holiness. Goodwin said, “As he took our nature, let us take his; [let us labor] to be changed into his image, being made partakers of the divine nature [2 Pet. 1:4].”
Eighth, imitate Christ in humility. William Perkins said, “Christ’s incarnation must be a pattern unto us of a most wonderful and strange humility. … He was content to lie in the manger, that we might rest in heaven.” We should also humble ourselves to serve others.
Ninth, defend the doctrine of Christ against errors. Caspar Olevianus said, “Satan has always tried … to deny or at least to weaken one of the natures in the Mediator of the covenant. When the root of a tree is damaged, the branches wither and there can be no hope for fruit.”
Tenth, glorify the incarnate Son. Herman Witsius said,
Hosanna, blessed Jesus, thou true and eternal God, thou true and holy man! In the unity of thy person, we recognize both natures, each possessing its own distinct properties. Thee we acknowledge. Thee we worship. From thy hand alone we expect salvation. May the whole world of thine elect unite in knowing, acknowledging, and adoring thee, and thus be saved through thy blessed name! Amen.
–Joel R. Beeke and Paul M. Smalley, Essentials of Reformed Systematic Theology (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2025), 394–395.
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