Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—

• Hebrews 2:14

Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

• Matthew 26:38

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

• Hebrews 4:15

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

• John 1:14

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. …
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. …When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!

• Luke 1:31, 35, 41, 42

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

• Galatians 4:4

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

• Hebrews 7:26

But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.
For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.

• Hebrews 8:6-7

“Q. 21. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
“A. Christ, the Son of God, became man by taking to himself a true body (Heb. 2:14) and a reasonable soul (Matt. 26:38, Heb. 4:15), being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary, and born of her (Luke 1:31, 35), yet without sin (Heb 7:26).”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, Spurgeon’s Catechism (Scripture proofs in bold above)

“Q. 22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
“A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.”

• The Shorter Catechism (Westminster Assembly)

“Q. 37. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
“A. Christ, the Son of God, became man by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, of her substance, and born of her, yet without sin.”

• The Larger Catechism (Westminster Assembly)

In a rare case, the three catechisms are roughly the same, with the Spurgeon catechism eliminating the idea of in the womb (possibly as unnecessary addition).  The Westminster assemblies added few additional biblical references.

There are several key points here.  Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He was born after being carried in the womb of a virgin and born without sin.  Jesus had both body and soul.

From this we can conclude that Jesus was fully human, yet from the unusual conception, Jesus was born with divine purpose.  Jesus is fully human and fully God.

And now let us sing.

The following hymn, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing is sung by the Spirituals Choir.  This arrangement blends Sing Out Loud at the end of each verse.  I like this arrangement with an up tempo and a nice beat, yet the words and tune are the same.  Notice in the lyrics that it talks of Christ as king and mentions how He will redeem us.  These are topics of some of the next catechism questions.

1. Hark! The herald angels sing
   “Glory to the new-born king
   Peace on earth and mercy mild
   God and sinners reconciled”
   Joyful all ye nations rise
   Join the triumph of the skies
   With angelic host proclaim
   “Christ is born in Bethlehem”
   Hark! The herald angels sing
   “Glory to the new-born king”
2. Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
   Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
   Light and life to all He brings
   Risen with healing in His wings
   Mild He lays His glory by
   Born that man no more may die
   Born to raise the sons of earth
   Born to give them second birth
   Hark! The herald angels sing
   “Glory to the new-born king”
3. Hark! The herald angels sing
   “Glory to the new-born king
   Peace on earth and mercy mild
   God and sinners reconciled”
   Joyful all ye nations rise
   Join the triumph of the skies
   With angelic host proclaim
   “Christ is born in Bethlehem”
   Hark! The herald angels sing
   “Glory to the new-born king”
4. Charles Wesley, Hark, the Herald Angel Sings

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord,
Thank You for coming to earth to redeem Your chosen ones, and thank You for choosing me.  I marvel at the courage and the faith of Joseph and Mary to overcome the social stigma and become parents to the King of kings.  And I know that I can come to You and any time because You, Lord Jesus, have been through many of the situations that I face each day.  You handled them in a better way because we stumble.  We have so much more that we can learn from You.  Please help us to keep our eyes upon You and our hearts eager to learn more.
In thy Name we pray.
Amen

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.