December 25

By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory. — 1 Tim 3:16 BSB

It truly is a mystery—deep, profound, and beyond full human understanding—how the divine Word, the eternal Son of God, was made flesh and dwelt among us. Who can fully comprehend the eternal generation of the only-begotten Son of God or the generation of His sacred humanity in the womb of the Virgin when the Holy Spirit overshadowed her? These are the very mysteries that even the angels desire to look into, but can only adore in reverent wonder. And we, too, are called to follow their example—not attempting to fully understand, but to believe, love, and revere. As it has been well said, "Where reason fails, with all her power—there faith believes, and love adores."

This mystery, if we are taught by the Spirit, is neither barren nor unprofitable. It is the "great mystery of godliness," from which all godliness flows. All the grace, mercy, and truth of God are revealed through the Son of His love, for it pleased the Father that in Him all fullness should dwell. In His sacred humanity, united with His divine Person, every blessing of God flows to us as poor sinners who believe in the name of the only-begotten Son of God.

With a living faith, we can draw near and behold this great mystery of godliness. By faith, we tread this holy ground and come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, to the innumerable company of angels, the church of the firstborn written in heaven, to God the Judge of all, and to Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant. Every blessing of the new covenant, if we have living faith in our incarnate God, is not only eternally but also experientially ours.