(Thomas Watson, “Body of Divinity“)

Behold here a sacred riddle or paradox—“God was manifest

in the flesh.” That man should be made in God’s image, was

a wonder—but that God should be made in man’s image, is

a greater wonder!

That the Ancient of Days—should be born;

that He who thunders in the heavens—should cry in the cradle;

that He who rules the stars—should suck the breast;

that Christ should be made of a woman—and of that

   woman which He Himself made;

that the mother should be younger than the child she bore;

this is the most astonishing miracle! “God was manifest in

the flesh” is a mystery we shall never fully understand until

we come to heaven, when our light shall be clear, as well as

our love perfect.

“He humbled Himself and became obedient to

death—even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:8

“God made Him who had no sin—to be sin for us!”

2 Corinthians 5:21

This was the lowest degree of Christ’s humiliation.

That Christ, who would not endure sin in the angels,

should endure to have sin imputed to Himself—is the

most amazing humility that ever was!

Christian! Learn to be humble! Do you see Christ humbling

Himself—and are you proud? It is the humble saint, who is

Christ’s picture! Christians, do not be proud of your fine

feathers! Have you an estate? Do not be proud. The earth

you tread on, is richer than you! It has mines of gold and

silver in its depths. Have you beauty? Do not be proud. It

is but water mingled with dirt! Have you skill and abilities?

Be humble. Lucifer has more knowledge than you! Have you

grace? Be humble. It is not of your own making—it was

given to you by God. You have more sin than grace; more

spots than beauty.

Oh look on Christ—this rare pattern of humility—and be

humbled! It is a sad sight, to see God humbling Himself

—and man exalting himself; to see a humble Savior—and

a proud sinner! God hates the very semblance of pride!

“I hate pride and arrogance!” Proverbs 8:13

“If God,” says Augustine, “did not spare the angels

when they grew proud; will He spare you—who are but dust and sin?”