Why Did God Take On Our Humanity?

Summary

Father Mike Schmitz discusses the significance of the Incarnation during Christmas, addressing why God became human. He highlights four key reasons: to reconcile humanity to God by bridging the gap created by sin; to demonstrate God's love through the sacrifice of Jesus; to provide a model for holiness in how we should live and love; and to enable humans to partake in the divine nature through baptism. This profound act is not just a holiday reminder but a continual call to grow closer to God, emphasizing that God's love for us is expressed through the Incarnation.

Takeaways

• 😀 God became human to reconcile humanity with Himself, bridging the gap created by sin.
• 😀 The incarnation demonstrates God's love for us, as He wanted to show that we matter to Him.
• 😀 Jesus reveals what holiness looks like, serving as a model for how we should live and love.
• 😀 Through His death and resurrection, Jesus makes it possible for us to be reconciled with the Father.
• 😀 The incarnation is a declaration that God has not forgotten or abandoned us.
• 😀 God became man so that we could share in the divine nature, becoming partakers in God's essence.
• 😀 The four main reasons for the incarnation, according to the Catechism, are reconciliation, love, holiness, and adoption.
• 😀 Jesus’ life exemplifies the love we are called to show others, including our enemies.
• 😀 Baptism allows us to become children of God, with the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.
• 😀 The essence of Christmas is the realization of God's love expressed through the incarnation, encouraging us to become more like Him.

Q & A

What is the central theme of Father Mike Schmitz's message about Christmas?

The central theme is the significance of the Incarnation, which is the belief that God became human to reconcile humanity with Himself and to demonstrate His love.

Why does Father Mike argue that God becoming human was not about gaining knowledge?

He states that God is omniscient and does not lack any knowledge; thus, the Incarnation was not for God to learn what it means to be human.

What is the first reason Father Mike gives for why God became man?

The first reason is to reconcile humanity to God, bridging the gap caused by sin.

How does Father Mike describe the state of humanity in relation to God?

He describes humanity as good but broken, with a heart that, while resembling God's, is damaged by sin.

What biblical verse does Father Mike reference to illustrate God's love?

He references John 3:16, which states that God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son for humanity's salvation.

What does Father Mike mean by saying the cross is a bridge between divinity and humanity?

He means that Jesus' death on the cross serves as the means through which humanity can be reconciled to God, symbolizing the connection established by the Incarnation.

What role does Jesus play as a model for holiness according to Father Mike?

Jesus provides an example of how to live righteously, love selflessly, and respond to others, including enemies, reflecting God's holiness.

What does Father Mike say about becoming partakers in the divine nature?

He explains that through baptism, believers become adopted children of God and share in His divine nature, made possible by the Incarnation.

What is the significance of the statement 'God became man so that man could become gods'?

This means that through Jesus, humanity is offered a relationship with God that allows for a sharing in His divine nature, though it does not imply that humans become divine beings.

How does Father Mike summarize the overall message of Christmas?

He summarizes it as a celebration of God's love and the invitation for humanity to grow closer to Him and become more like Him through the Incarnation.