A Prayer about Christ’s Humanity and Ours

[Christ Jesus]…made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:7

Holy God,

I love how creeds and confessions

help us see new things about our faith. 

The Belgic Confession, 

in confessing the truth of the incarnation 

reminds us that both the body and the soul 

are essential to our humanity:
“And he not only assumed human nature 

  as far as the body is concerned 

  but also a real human soul, 

  in order that he might be a real human being. 

For since the soul had been lost as well as the body, 

  he had to assume them both to save them both together.”*

Thank you, Lord, 

for sending Christ in the flesh, 

to remind us that our bodies 

belong to you and are beloved by you.

Thank you, Lord, for making Christ 

a real human being, 

and yet without sin.

who, though without sin, 

can fully sympathize with our weaknesses, 

in heart, soul, mind, and body.

Being sinless, he was the perfect sacrifice

for our sins, 

and died

that we might live eternally 

with and for you.

In gratitude for the greatest gift of Christmas, 

may we glorify you with all of our being.

In Christ’s fully human, fully divine name. Amen.

Read Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 4:15; Matthew 22:37.

*(From Belgic Confession of Faith for Advent and Christmas).