The doctrine of the incarnation is not a hidden doctrine among Christians. Many in Denver know a little about God becoming man. Songs are sung about it this time of year (there are a surprising number of Christian songs on KOSI 101.1). Christmas cartoons and musicals allude to it. The nativity, showing Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus, implies such a condescending act by God.
But even if unbelievers can mechanically explain the incarnation, the proper understanding of it and the implications thereof completely elude most of them. Like watching a play without a background and underlying plot, many unbelievers observe the nativity with a vague sense of something missing. "What's the big deal?" they ask.
Unfortunately, this question is asked because the message of Christmas is disappearing--not only due to the obvious chaos of narcissistic materialism, but also because of the increasing silence of the church herself. To the extent that the proper background of the incarnation is poorly explained, grasped or believed by the American Evangelical church, to that extent she is silent and unhelpful. She becomes a mime, acting out a story without a context.
And what is that context? Sin.
Not only was the coming of the God-man a marvelous act of a Sovereign King dwelling among infinitely lesser beings, it was more. It was the merciful and forgiving act of a maligned Judge. A Judge, Ruler and Avenger who will cast the final sentence against unbelieving rebellion: eternal damnation.
This is not a popular message. People would rather watch the miming of the church than hear the thundering of the Law. Many would embrace the psuedo-gospel of God-as-Santa, a God who will send everyone to heaven, instead of hearing that God actually intends on sending insurgents to their rightful place.
Yet, this other side of Christmas is crucial. And it makes sense. Human judges will dispense justice according to the rule of law. How much more will the Great All-Seeing Judge of the universe dispense justice? So Adam was judged, as was all mankind. But that is not what unbelievers want to hear during this season of joy.
However, it is exactly what they need to hear. And it is what the church needs to hear as well. The incarnation is intelligible only in a Christian framework that takes sin serious enough to warrant death. There was nothing in mankind to bring amnesty from God the judge. There was everything in mankind to repel Him. This is the reason why the coming of the Son of God is amazing: we deserved eternal damnation instead of life.
With the truth of the other side of Christmas, the church can stop miming and start singing aloud with joy the clear message of why the Messiah became a man. And then the world will know what the "big deal" is all about.
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