#incarnation — Public Fediverse posts

The Loveliest

The woman 
with a 
double chin 
and fat fingers
around plastic bags 
plops down 
in the seat
across the aisle 
and blocks 
my view of the
goddess 
whose magazine 
is filled with 
clothes
she'd fill out 
quite nicely.

The pretty 
and the ugly 
sit side by side
and I wonder 
who is 
the loveliest 
in God's eyes.

February 22, 2002

Polhill—Anglican Calvinist—observes inhumanity in his era exceeded what existed before Christ arrived to deliver a Lecture of Love. The Incarnation provided two things: a renewed command to love, and a new motive—God giving his Son. Deriving neighborly ethics from orthodox Christology is precisely what Polhill does. Fewer orthodox pastors today would describe the Incarnation’s purpose that way.

#anglican #calvinist #christlike #christian #holiness #incarnation #reformedtheology

The Significance of the Manger: How Christ’s Humble Birth Shapes a Man’s Strength and Leadership

1,444 words, 8 minutes read time

I want to take you back to Bethlehem, the quiet town, the Roman census rolling through, the air thick with expectation and tension. Picture a young couple arriving late at night, streets bustling with shepherds, travelers, and the faint glimmer of torchlight flickering on stone walls. There is no royal palace, no grand fanfare, no ceremonial welcome. Instead, a stable—a place for animals—is their sanctuary. And in that lowly manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lies the King of kings.

This is the scene that defines humility at its most radical. The birth of Jesus wasn’t just a story to warm hearts at Christmas; it was the blueprint of God’s upside-down kingdom values, a blueprint for every man called to lead with strength, courage, and integrity. Humility, service, and courage in obscurity—these are not soft virtues; they are the hallmarks of true leadership.

In this study, we’ll explore three pillars emerging from the manger that shape a man’s character. First, humility before God: why the King chose the lowliest place to enter the world and what that means for us. Second, leadership through service: how Jesus’ life demonstrates strength under submission. Third, courage in obscurity: thriving faithfully when no one is watching. By the end, you won’t just see a story of a baby in a trough—you’ll understand a call to embody a life of resilient, humble strength.

Humility Before God: Lessons from the Manger

The Greek word used for “manger” in Luke 2:7 is phatnē, a simple feeding trough for animals. It’s not glamorous. It’s not the kind of place a man imagines for a king’s birth. And yet, this is where God chose to plant His Son. This choice wasn’t random; it was deliberate theology in action, showing that God values humility over pomp, service over status.

Bethlehem at the time was under Roman occupation. The Jews longed for a Messiah who would sweep in with armies and crowns, a conqueror to restore their pride and sovereignty. But God’s Messiah came quietly, unarmed, dependent, and vulnerable. The King who commands angels chose the lowliest of entry points, signaling that true power is often hidden under weakness.

For men today, humility before God is not about groveling or self-deprecation; it’s about recognizing our place in the grand scheme of life and aligning our strength under God’s authority. It’s about showing up as you are, stripped of pretense, ready to follow rather than dominate. Think of it as the foundation of a building: invisible but crucial. A man who refuses to kneel in humility may boast outward power, but without that grounding, the whole structure risks collapse.

Here’s a truth I’ve had to wrestle with personally: humility doesn’t mean you are weak. It means you are aware of what you can and cannot control, and you are willing to carry responsibility with integrity. It’s like showing up to the battlefield with nothing but a trusted blade—no armor, no pomp, just readiness to serve. That’s the heart of a man shaped by the manger.

Leadership Through Service: Strength in Submission

When you look at the manger, you see more than a scene of humility; you see a model of servant-leadership. Philippians 2:5–8 frames this perfectly: Christ, though in the form of God, did not grasp at status. He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant. This is leadership that wins not through intimidation but through example, commitment, and sacrifice.

Worldly power often equates leadership with control, title, or recognition. But God’s standard is different. True leadership is lifting others, absorbing the strain, making the hard choices without applause, and guiding people with a heart of service. For men, this applies across every arena—family, workplace, community. The strongest men I’ve known lead quietly, consistently, and sacrificially. They don’t need a throne; they need character.

Consider the metaphor of a yoke. A man’s strength is measured by how well he can bear the yoke—responsibilities, burdens, and trials—without complaint. Jesus’ birth in a lowly manger prefigures the ultimate act of leadership: carrying the cross for the world. In your own life, you may not face crucifixion, but every act of leadership is a chance to serve with courage, humility, and vision. This is the marrow of masculine strength.

And here’s the kicker: service-driven leadership doesn’t just bless others; it refines you. It teaches patience, self-control, and endurance. It forces you to operate in alignment with truth rather than ego. Jesus’ life started in a manger and ended on a cross, a testament that leadership is forged in quiet, humble service, not public accolades.

Courage in Obscurity: Faithful Work When No One’s Watching

There’s a raw courage in the manger that often gets overlooked. No one expected God to enter the world this way. No crowds, no coronation, no pomp. Just a couple of parents, some animals, and a feeding trough. The first Christmas is a story of working faithfully in obscurity, trusting God even when recognition is absent.

Life as a man of integrity often mirrors that scene. Most of the work that shapes character is unseen: the quiet discipline at the gym, the late nights working to provide for family, the decisions made when no one is watching. The courage to persist without immediate reward is exactly what the manger teaches.

Biblically, God frequently works through hidden, humble circumstances. Joseph, David, and even Paul had seasons where their faithfulness was invisible. Men are called to the same quiet bravery—faithfulness not measured by applause, but by steadfastness under pressure. Strength in obscurity is the kind that lasts, the kind that shapes generations.

A metaphor I’ve lived by: real men are forged in the grind. You don’t become steel in the spotlight; you become steel in the heat of daily struggle, in rooms no one sees, in choices no one notices. The manger tells us: God honors that kind of courage, and it’s the foundation of enduring manhood.

Conclusion

The manger is more than a Christmas story. It is a blueprint for men striving to embody humility, leadership, and courage. Christ’s birth calls us to a strength that is rooted in humility, a leadership measured by service, and a courage defined by faithfulness rather than recognition.

We’ve seen three pillars here: humility before God, leadership through service, and courage in obscurity. Each one challenges men to measure strength not by status or applause but by character, perseverance, and faithful obedience. The manger doesn’t just whisper; it calls us to build lives of lasting integrity.

So, ask yourself: Where are you seeking recognition instead of doing the work? Where are you carrying burdens without leaning into humility and service? Where is your courage tested in the quiet spaces of life? The wood of the manger still speaks. Let it teach you to be strong, faithful, and humble. Let it shape you into a man who leads not with ego, but with purpose and conviction.

If this message resonated, I invite you to join the conversation: leave a comment, share your reflections, or subscribe to continue growing as a man of faith, courage, and integrity. The path won’t be easy, but as the manger teaches, greatness in God’s kingdom begins in humility.

Call to Action

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D. Bryan King

Sources

• Athanasius, On the Incarnation of the Word of God
• Gerald O’Collins, Incarnation
• Gerald O’Collins, Christology: A Biblical, Historical, and Systematic Study of Jesus Christ
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer, God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas
• Athanasius via C.S. Lewis Institute, On the Incarnation (summary & analysis)
• Russell Moore, The Incarnation Is More than the Manger
• The Gospel Coalition, The Humility of Christ: From Manger to Cross
• Why the Incarnation? Athanasius & Advent
• Brian Chilton, The Incarnation’s Appeal to Humility
• Daniel Kendall & Gerald O’Collins, eds., Karl Barth and the Incarnation: Christology & the Humility of God
• Ed Rickard, The Child in a Manger: Commentary on Luke 2:1‑20
• Precept Austin, Luke 2 Commentary
• Lange’s Commentary on Luke 2
• Grace Presbyterian Church, The Messiah in a Manger
• Opus Dei, Commentary on the Gospel: Born in Bethlehem

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this post are solely those of the author. The information provided is based on personal research, experience, and understanding of the subject matter at the time of writing. Readers should consult relevant experts or authorities for specific guidance related to their unique situations.

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#AdventStudy #Bethlehem #biblicalApplication #biblicalCourage #biblicalExample #biblicalHumility #biblicalPrinciplesForMen #BiblicalReflection #biblicalStudyForMen #birthOfJesus #characterFormation #ChristCenteredLife #ChristLikeHumility #ChristSBirth #ChristSHumility #ChristSMission #ChristianDiscipleship #ChristianMasculinity #ChristianMentorship #ChristianReflection #Christology #courage #dailyDiscipline #divineExample #faithInAction #faithBasedLiving #faithfulness #godlyCourage #godlyManhood #humbleLeadership #humility #humilityInLeadership #incarnation #integrity #kingdomValues #Leadership #leadershipPrinciples #lifeLessonsFromJesus #livingWithIntegrity #Luke2 #manger #manhood #masculineFaith #modernMan #moralCourage #obedience #perseverance #personalTransformation #practicalTheology #quietBravery #responsibility #servantLeadership #servantHeartedLeadership #spiritualDiscipline #SpiritualGrowth #spiritualObedience #spiritualStrength #spiritualWisdom #strengthThroughService #swaddlingClothes #unseenWork

As we encounter Jesus, it is crucial that we aren't just encountering a spokesperson, because a spokesperson is frequently powerless to solve any meaningful problem. And we have those. So, let's think about who Jesus really is... https://youtube.com/live/jFvDmeObuMg

#Christianity #Salvation #Christmas #Advent #Incarnation #Theology

We need something that lasts, not just a temporary banner of God's love. Fortunately, that's exactly what God provides for us. https://youtube.com/live/C_mAZjSrdu8

#Christianity #Advent #Incarnation #Revelation #Jesus

Changer de vie comme Saint François ?
#editionssalvator #suzannegiuseppitestut #francois #assise #coeur #ecoute #pauvre #luxe #desir #conscience #quete #interieur #spiritualite #creation #humilité #obeissance #meditation #evangile #jesus #rencontre #bible #incarnation #booktok #bookstok #booktube #booktuber #booklover #books #bookreview #bookstagram #bookstagrammer
https://youtube.com/shorts/iLejhj7CKzs?feature=share

Dissemblance et figuration / Fra Angelico
👍 Les notions de figuration et de dissemblance, dans le contexte contemporain du peintre du Quattrocento, révèle l’élément fondamental de la peinture religieuse, à savoir le mystère de l’Incarnation.
https://cltr.blogspot.com/2018/10/dissemblance-et-figuration-fra-angelico.html
#art #culture #peinture #mystère #Incarnation #religion #Quattrocento #FraAngelico #Italie #Noël #Bible #figure #Annonciation
Image / Noli me tangere [détail] (Wikimedia Commons)

Silence was a hallmark of Père Jacques’ life, so deeply devoted to Our Lady. One of his fellow prisoners in the concentration camp testified to his contemplative spirit:

I can still see Père Jacques kneeling on the floor of that poor barrack, without a kneeler, without any support—his whole soul concentrated and united with God. This vision of Père Jacques alone was a great comfort to me. I see his eyes fixed on the altar, his eyes where a gentle flame shone, like the flame in a shrine.

Now, let’s hear Père Jacques’ inspiring words.

God is eternal silence; God dwells in silence. He is eternal silence because he is the One who has totally realized his own being because he says all and possesses all. He is infinite happiness and infinite life. All God’s works are marked by this characteristic. Contemplate the Incarnation; it was accomplished in the silence of the Virgin Mary’s chamber at a time when she was in prolonged silence, her door closed. Our Lord’s birth came during the night, while all things were enveloped in silence. That is how the Word of God appeared on earth, and only Mary and Joseph were silently with him. They did not overwhelm him with their questions, for they were accustomed to guarding their innermost thoughts.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Carmelite Quotes podcast for more inspiring quotes and reflections. We’re available on Spotify and will be appearing soon on other platforms.

Jacques, P 2005, Listen to the silence: A retreat with Père Jacques, translated from the French and edited by Murphy F, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: Mary at the Loom is an oil on canvas painting executed in 1895 by British artist William Henry Margetson (1861–1940). It comes from the collections of Victoria Art Gallery in Bath, England. Image credit: Victoria Art Gallery / ArtUK (Public domain)

https://carmelitequotes.blog/2024/05/01/mdj2024-ep001/

#God #incarnation #JesusChrist #nativity #night #PèreJacquesDeJésus #ServantOfGod #silence #StJoseph #VirginMary

Henry Grove was a Presbyterian minister. Here he talks an appropriate response to God filling your heart with gladness: that you would respond with humanity and good-will to all the children of want and sorrow.

#merrychristmas #joy #christian #empathetic #debt #smallactsbigimpact #feedingamerica #incarnation

The idea of #Christmas as the #incarnation of God’s #liberative power of #love and #justice for the #poor and #oppressed is terrifying for the powerful and unjust, which is why #churches that are coopted by #empire don’t talk much about those things during Christmas.

It's pretty easy to look at people and see who were the #nazis in their previous #incarnation - #Killing people doesn't solve anything. #Dying doesn't necessarily solve anything. Killing people just throws the unresolved issues into the #subconscious of the collective to rear the #karma of cause and effect into the unsuspecting, experientially unconscious, next generation.

"Apparently, this is my first #incarnation as a #Negro. I must have built up a lot of #karmic #debt." 💀

#LosingGround, on #TheCriterionChannel

#Black #Cinema #Film #Movies

https://www.criterionchannel.com/losing-ground

#Incarnation is a 2022 American #horror #film about a young couple that discovers they have a demonic spirit in their new home.
Directed by Isaac Walsh.
#movies #movie #watching

A painter who cannot paint is tasked with creäting the World’s flowers via his paintings - the result is a sense of failure and deep loneliness. But the Fates have other plans… This is a moving & beautiful #webcomic.

Check out #Incarnation on #Tapas. Link: https://tapas.io/series/Incarnation

It's always curious to listen to people complain, and judge, what has been going on for hundreds or thousands of years - all while they themselves are clueless to the realities of their own complicity within the karma of the reincarnation process.

#Incarnating #Incarnation #incarnate #Reincarnate #Karma

Many think they are their bodies or their emotions as opposed to the reality that they may currently have a body and emotions. They subjugate their spirit to their bodies and emotional reactivity instead of comprehending that their spirit manifests their bodies, and their emotions are a by product of that.

When a persons consciousness is locked in thinking they are their body and emotions, they are not free consciously to remember much beyond their emotions of their body.

Remembering their lives before their current body is not easily possible, if possible at all. They are not free consciously, to be conscious.

Everyones energy/spirit is coming from various dimensions of time/space, which is what makes us all uniquely discernible different. That/Those are our different lessons and journeys.

#SpiritualConsciousness #Incarnation

I often hear people say: “we’re only human after all.”

I cringe inside and think: “do you even know what being human is?”

Only living within the subjugation of limitations, by a society that keeps the masses ignorant so they can be fed upon, is a severely limited experience of being human.

Take it from those of us who have memories of our previous lives and have had visions of what’s coming all our lives.

We’re tired of living in your prisons of complicity.

#Human #HumanRace #SpiritualConsciousness #Incarnation #Reincarnation
#RaiseTheNarrative

When one perceives from a higher state of being, from their soul which is from a higher dimension, they see from that origin and perspective through the astral dimensions into the earth plane of where they are manifesting their physical incarnation. Often times people that see from their origins also have consciousness of previous lives before their current incarnation. If a person, much of the current cult of society, sees from within their projections then they are failing to see from their true origins. They fail to see from their souls, or have experiential consciousness of their soul, which is the space of their true being that is beyond what we term time. They fail to have consciousness of their spirit. They fail to have spiritual consciousness. Our spirit astral projects, so to speak, it resonates, from our soul through spaces of time and lifetimes into what we consider the current time and we manifest our incarnation within the physical realm.

#Soul #Incarnation #Reincarnation

Sometimes people come to me with concerns about the fact they feel they are in the wrong body. That they should be in a male or female body instead.

As a therapist who can be psychic and is empathic -

Sometimes as I am interacting with them I am seeing and feeling one or more of their past lives and how they had the body they are currently longing for in those lives.

If the realities of reincarnation were discussed more openly in the social narrative of discourse in society people might have a wider perspective on the things they are dealing with in life.

#Reincarnation #PastLives #Identity #Gender #GenderIssues #Life #Incarnation

#RaiseTheNarrative #SocialDiscourse #Freedom