The Mystery of the Incarnation

Noticing the decline in museum attendance, a group of individuals gathered to brain storm ways to handle the problem. How could they invite a new generation to engage with and appreciate these ancient master pieces? One idea came to the forefront to help the paintings come alive: to take a one dimensional picture and make it three dimensional through the use of actors. Their living art put costumes, wigs, and make up on actors.

Then they added props and positioned the actors to reflect the painting. Now standing before the back drop of Renior’s garden scene actors took their place. Instead of a lady reading a book painted on the wall, now in front of it lay an actual woman reading the same book. The little boy playing a game of croquet, now stood in the matching shorts and suspenders. The Mona Lisa became a real person, with her eyes following guests around the room. The actors brought a one dimensional painting, and made it come alive.

It worked! Attendance increased as people saw pictures in a new way. Their understanding of art raised as they connected art work from the past with their lives today. Sometimes we must see something living and breathing before we can understand its value.

The same is with the great mystery of a God who loves. And yet our God did not want this mystery to be so far removed from us that we could not connect. So God sent his son through the incarnation. An infinite God who chose to communicate his character and essence with finite minds. His goal, that we might begin to comprehend who God truly is. John 1:14 “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

Conversation starter with God: Talk with God about how you see His character. You may want to choose a story of Jesus from the gospels to read and pray over. Look through the lens of the incarnation to see who God truly is.