Saved by Incarnation

On our pilgrimage to the Holy Land we visited this spot on the Jordan River near where John baptized Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17.)  We know for sure that Christians celebrated this event as early as the second century, maybe even at the end of the first century.  At the same time as Jesus identifies himself complete with our humanity, the voice from heaven reveals his divinity, God in flesh made manifest.  The Baptism is so important because it helps us to see that Jesus saves us, not just by dying and rising, but by his Incarnation, his entire life from conception to his death and resurrection.

Trinity's Embrace

"The heavens were opened for him and he saw the Spirit of God descending dove-like coming upon him." ( Matthew 7:16) The Spirit and Son and Father, whose voice is heard, are wrapped in one loving embrace, an image early in the Gospel of our humanity caught up in the Trinity's embrace.

Another Way

James Taylor's 20 year old song Home By Another Way helped me reflect on the Magi and Herod.  He sings that to avoid the evil that King Herod represents "It's best to go home by another way."  Like the Magi who could not go back  to their old way of life after finding God in this baby, we leave behind our familiar gods and keep searching for a deeper relationship with the Living God who gives our lives meaning.