Christmas, the Incarnation, and the Real Presence.

 by: Rev. Dan Greg

Every so often in ministry, pastors come across people that really struggle with belief in Christ’s real presence in the Lord’s Supper.

Something that often is said: “I just know that if I looked at it under a microscope, I wouldn’t see DNA in there.”

That’s true. Jesus never promises that you’ll be able to skirt around faith in Him.

The reason I bring this up now is because it’s Christmastime. It’s all about “the Incarnation,” when “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

God became man in Jesus Christ. The fullness of God became flesh, fully man.

And that’s hard to believe. One can only do so in faith.

If a scientist drew Jesus’ blood in 27AD and looked at it under a microscope, there would be no molecule for the scientist to read that said “I AM God.”

Nope. Instead, we must believe Jesus’ Words when he claims to be “I AM” 7 times throughout John’s Gospel. Jesus claims something, and you either believe it or do not.

Simple as.

Jesus instead claims things like this:
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)


“Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:54)

We simply trust Jesus at his Word, that this is truly “my body” and “my blood” for “the forgiveness of your sins” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

It’s a mystery. Wouldn’t it be nice to truly believe there is still mystery?

Especially a mystery in which Christ promises so lovely and bountiful of benefits?

Anyway, Merry Christmas!

Christ promises to truly come to you in His Word and His Sacraments on Christmas Day, nowhere else.

And He is truly there in His fullness.

Peace be with you! 

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