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I. THE DIGNIFIED CHARACTER WHO WAS MADE FLESH. 1.The Word partakes of the same nature and perfections as the Father and Spirit.

(1)  Eternity (Micah 5:2).

(2)  Omniscience (John 21:17).

(3)  Omnipresence (Matthew 28:20).

(4)  Immutability (Hebrews 13:8).

2. This dignified Person was made flesh.

(1)  He had a true body, not merely the appearance of one.

(2)  He had a reasonable soul.

(3)  All the Persons of the Trinity were concerned in His Incarnation. The Father prepared His body; the Spirit formed it; the Son assumed it.

3. He dwelt among us —

(1)  Performing the most astonishing miracles;

(2)  Preaching the most interesting truths;

(3)  Living the most holy life.

II. SOME REASONS WHY THE SAVIOUR BECAME INCARNATE.

1. That ancient prophecy might be fulfilled (Genesis 3:15; Deuteronomy 18:15; Isaiah 9:6; etc.).

2. That the glorious perfections of Deity might be displayed — the glory of God's infinite wisdom, almighty power, unspotted purity, inflexible justice, boundless compassion, inviolable truth. Hence angels and men combine in singing "Glory to God in the highest."

3. That captive sinners might be redeemed.

(1) By nature man is a spiritual slave.

(2) Christ became incarnate to redeem him from —

(a)  Sin. "Sin shall have no more dominion, etc."

(b)  Satan. "The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet."

(c)  The world. "This is the victory, etc."

(d)  Wrath. "Who hath delivered us from the wrath to come."(3) Jesus redeems us by His blood (1 Peter 1:18, 19).

(4) In the day of conversion, the believer experiences His redemption.

(5) Christ redeems us to His image, His grace, His heaven (Psalm 86:11).

4. That the righteous law of heaven might be honoured.

5. That the empire of Satan might be ruined.

6. That the gates of paradise might be opened. We learn the amazing condescension of the Saviour. Consider —

(1)  From whence He came;

(2)  To whom;

(3)  The circumstances in which;

(4)  Why.

(T. Lewis.)

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KJV: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

WEB: The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.