The Incarnation of Jesus: 10 Quotes

What is the incarnation of Jesus? The Lexham Bible Dictionary says that though the term “incarnation” does not appear in the Bible, “Christian tradition has long held that Jesus is God incarnate: the Second Person of the Trinity descended from heaven and became human.” 

The incarnation of Jesus is a mystery that once a year, come December, believers around the world remember with awe—that God would humble himself and become flesh through the Holy Spirit (John 1:14).

This Christmas, contemplate this mystery through the eyes of 10 fellow believers throughout the ages.

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Though creation may be a majestic organ of praise, it cannot reach the compass of the golden canticle—incarnation! There is more melody in Jesus in the manger than in the whole sublime oratorio of the creation. There is more grandeur in the… Share on X

—Charles Spurgeon (1834–1892)

Grace has not a body to appear visibly. Yes, but Christ appeared; and when he appeared it was as if grace and love had been incarnate, and took a body. So that grace and mercy most of all shines in the incarnation of Christ. Share on X

—Richard Sibbes (1577–1635)

The best of all is, God is with us! Share on X

—John Wesley (1703–1791)

We must never forget that though our Lord was God and man at the same time, the divine and human natures in him were never confounded. One nature did not swallow up the other. The two natures remained perfect and distinct. The divinity of… Share on X

—J. C. Ryle (1816–1900)

It was he who created the worlds; it was he who interposed of old time in the affairs of the world and showed himself to be a living and observant God, whether men thought of him or not. Yet this great God condescended to come down on earth… Share on X

—John Henry Newman (1801–1890)

This only-begotten Son of God for our sins came down from heaven upon earth and took upon him this human nature of like passions with us and was begotten of the holy virgin and of the Holy Ghost, and was made man, not in seeming and mere… Share on X

—Cyril of Jerusalem (ca. 315–386)

There was not only a distance between us and God by reason of impurity but a difference by reason of enmity. God is a God of glorious majesty, and we are poor creatures; God is a God of pure and immaculate holiness, and we are sinful… Share on X

—Thomas Manton (1620–1677)

Join, all you joyful nations,
The acclaiming host of heaven!
This happy morn
A Child is born,
To us a Son is given:
The messenger and token
Of God’s eternal favor,
God has sent down
To us his Son,
A universal Savior!

—Charles Wesley (1707–1788)

God would have his eternal, his only-begotten Son to be incarnate, to take our nature on him—to be made man. What is his design in this incomprehensible work of his wisdom, love, and power? Indeed, in the first place, it was for the… Share on X

—John Owen (1616–1683)

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Learn more about the incarnation of Jesus in The God Who Became Human: A Biblical Theology of Incarnation by Graham C. Cole or Found in Him: The Joy of the Incarnation and Our Union with Christ by Elise Fitzpatrick.

 All quotes are taken from 300 Quotations and Prayers about Christmas by Elliot Ritzema, (Lexham Press, Bellingham, WA), 2013.