Incarnation Lib/E: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas

by Adam Hamilton

Be Transformed this Advent Season!

His parents gave him the name Jesus. But the prophets, the shepherds, the wise men, and the angels addressed him by other names. They called him Lord, Messiah, Savior, Emmanuel, Light of the World, and Word Made Flesh.

In Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas, best-selling author Adam Hamilton examines the names of Christ used by the gospel writers, exploring the historical and personal significance of his birth.

This Advent season church families will come together to remember what's important. In the face of uncertainty and conflict, Christians reclaim the Christ Child who brings us together, heals our hearts, and calls us to bring light into the darkness.
Now more than ever, we invite you to reflect upon the significance of the Christ-child for our lives and world today!

Incarnation is a standalone book, but works beautifully as a four-week Bible study experience perfect for all age groups during the Advent season.

Additional components include a comprehensive Leader Guide, a DVD with short teaching videos featuring Adam Hamilton, as well as resources for children and youth.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christmas, Religion, Christian, Christianity, Church, Faith

Audio CD

Published November 17, 2020

About the author

Rev. Adam Hamilton is the founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. He grew up in the Kansas City area. He earned a B.A. degree in Pastoral Ministry from Oral Roberts University and a Master of Divinity Degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection has grown from four people in 1990 to more than 16,000 adult members with an average weekly worship attendance of more than 8,600 in 2011. The church was listed as the most influential mainline church in America in a 2005 survey of American pastors.

Adam has been married 30 years to LaVon. They have two grown daughters.

Reviews

[Amanda McBreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Adam Hamilton winner. Read the Epilogue as it is the most significant chapter of the book.

[Kolby Golliher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and highly accessible book for the Advent season. I’ll be leading a Bible study at my church this year using this book as our key supplementary text. It’s great!

[Rrshively · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a study book for my Zoom Sunday School class. It explores some of the words for Jesus that were used by the Gospel writers, especially when telling of the coming of Jesus. The book gave me a lot to think about. One of the best examples is that Jesus is the true Word of God, much more so than the Bible. This is reassuring to me, as his words and example portray my beliefs more than some obscure verses in the Old Testament. It was a worthwhile book that wasn't too academic for the average reader.

[Janis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Bible study group read Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas, over five weeks starting in November. Author Adam Hamilton includes historical background to bring a fresh perspective to the familiar Nativity story.

[Charlotte Place · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read this book with our pastor and other church friends as an Advent study. It was a good study!

[Margie Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Incarnation" was a good book, but not one of his best. This book did not produce the abundant discussions and insights as previous books have done.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the book for a virtual Advent book study group with my church. I found the first two chapters not that interesting. Did get more meaning and joy as well from the rest of the book. Probably best to read as part of a book study group.

[Scott Torrey]

Not my favorite Adam Hamilton book, but Advent study on the different names we use for Jesus from King or Messiah to Savior to God among us to Light/Word of God.

[Cathryn Conroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christian doctrine of the Incarnation is easy to define and complex to comprehend. Author Adam Hamilton, a prolific writer and senior pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, even goes so far as to acknowledge that some think the very idea is scandalous.

Incarnation comes from a Latin word that means "embodiment" or "become flesh." Scandalous though it may be for some, the doctrine of the Incarnation is the foundation of the Christian faith: God, who created all that is, came to us in Jesus. That is, God became flesh in the form of Jesus. HOW? Well, that is a mystery of faith.

In this short book that is ideal for Advent reading, Hamilton explores the most significant questions of the Incarnation—questions that thinking Christians have struggled with for centuries. Why would God come to us in Jesus? What was the purpose of the Incarnation? How are we meant to respond to God coming to us in Jesus today? It is by answering these questions that Hamilton says we rediscover the significance of Christmas, which is, after all, a grand celebration of the Incarnation.

This informative and spiritually uplifting book is organized into four chapters and an epilogue. Each focuses on names and titles used by the Gospel writers to introduce the story of Jesus: King, Savior, Emmanuel (God with Us), Light of the World, and Lord.

If you want a chance to slow down from all the secular busyness of preparing for Christmas and contemplate the meaning of this most holy season, this is an ideal book for you.

Bonus: Find out fun facts about two favorite Christmas hymns/carols: "In the Bleak Midwinter" and "Joy to the World."

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened on Audible (Included).

I chose to listen to this book because: (1) Adam Verner narrates it. He’s good! (2) It was in the Audible Plus Catalog, meaning I could listen free with my membership package.

Adam Hamilton writes a lot of good Bible study type books. This Advent study is set up for 5 weeks rather than on a daily countdown basis. It would be very easy to make this into a group study. There are additional materials available to assist with that.

This Advent devotional was written in 2020. It begins with the vaguest reference to elections and political campaigns. Bold move. I do not agree that Jesus’ ministry was essentially the equivalent of a political campaign. In fact, far from it, in my opinion. He is THE Messiah. God’s only begotten son. Jesus never denied either of those claims when He was asked about it or called as such by others. There’s no one else who could be chosen. No vote was or will ever be taken. Even if you choose not to believe in Him, it will never negate that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

He also references the pandemic frequently. I had no problem with that, but again, bold move. There are those readers out there that might need a trigger warning due to the political year and pandemic references.

I think it could have been more effectively written without those two historical references. The author had to do a lot of obvious pussyfooting around both subjects in order not to tick off any overly sensitive readers. It distracted from the main subject and title of the book: The Incarnation.

[Brandon Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I’ve said when I’ve looked at Advent/Christmas books before, it’s really hard to impress me these days. There comes a point when, as a lifelong church goer and reader, you’ve heard it all so many times that it can be hard to glean anything spiritually profound or immediately relevant from these well worn stories.

Pastor Adam Hamilton does just that with this book though, in my opinion. It’s written with the challenges that we are facing in 2020 in mind, particularly the COVID 19 pandemic. He has a whole chapter devoted to it (in a hopeful way—not doom and gloom). I really appreciated it, and the 4th Chapter on “The Light of the World” not only gave me goosebumps, but also put me in the most hopeful frame of mind I’ve had this year.

I’d definitely recommend it. I’ll be team teaching it as a study in our adult discussion class at church this Advent, and I’m really looking forward to it.

[Nancy Noble · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our church used this as an Advent study - as usual, Adam Hamilton delves into a subject to really bring it to life. This one was a very intense study - if you're looking for a feel good light treatment of the Christmas story, this isn't it. If you're looking to really understand what it means for God to come to earth, and bring light into the darkness of the world, this is the epitome of the reason for the season - Jesus Christ, incarnate. Phew! Not for the faint of heart.
We also watched the DVD, which has Adam in his living room, hanging out with his dog, imparting good truths. I like that he brings the pandemic into his book - one of the chapters is "Emmanuel in the midst of a pandemic." It makes it all feel so connected to our world today, even with mention of the elections. Very timely study, but also timeless. Well done.

[Julia Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Hamilton has written over 25 books and is a “best selling” author of books on Christianity. Incarnation is his newest book. The book is easy to read and understand. For the more academic reader, there is specific information on the translation of Biblical terms from the Hebrew and Greek. Hamilton provides insight into what the church means when talking about the incarnation of Jesus. He divides the book into a few of the various names Jesus was called: Lord, Messiah, Savior, Emmanuel, Light of the World, and Word Made Flesh. This book will enlighten many Christians as to the scope of the real message of Christmas. I highly recommend this book. Of the holiday books I have read this year, this is my favorite!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

#21 READ A BOOK WITH A CHRISTMAS THEME: We have a new minister who has been trying to bring back some old ideas and to come up with some new ones. As a fairly newly retired person, I've attended a couple of his bible studies and I find them very interesting. These are not so deep that those of us who are not bible wizards cannot understand and yet they are very informative. Adam Hamilton provides a 2nd study for us by our minister, this author is a favorite for us, he is quite interesting to read and he is easy to understand. One can easily think of questions for further discussion and the chapters are not so long that one would fall asleep. Would highly recommend his books.....even if you are not a participant in a bible study .....Am

[Todd Buegler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a part of preparation for our Advent 2021 preaching series. It was helpful on two levels.

It helped me think through how we might break down a preaching series into four weeks. That part, I expected.

But I was a little bit surprised how much appreciated his perspective on the incarnation from a personal, spiritual angle. (Sometimes I think pastors assume we know things and are surprised when we learn things.)

But I was deeply grateful for the depth of Hamilton's reflection and where it drew me as I considered the power and scope of the incarnation in my own life.

[susan suydam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incarnation: Rediscovering The the Significant of Christmas, was a perfect read for me this year of 2020. Being reminded of the true reason we celebrate. The symbolic and forgotten by many the birth of Jesus to a human woman of little or no wealth. For the hope of teaching us the beauty of life, love, forgiveness and death.
Incarnate is a quick read, but read slowly through a bible study, I truly feel its power. Good read

[Wesley Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pastor Adam Hamilton has the ability to reach me in a low-key but powerful way through his belief and faith in Christ. Incarnation leads the reader through the different approaches to the advent of Jesus into the world and His meaning as God's son. Adam adds wonderful perspective to the connection between the early prophesies and Jesus' fulfillment of those prophesies, and really enhances their true meanings. This is definitely a book that you would read and re-read.

[Tammy Mannarino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hamilton always brings fresh insights. This book is very timely as he finished it earlier this year. He references the challenges of the 2020 election and the pandemic without knowing exactly how bad things were going to get. His reminders of who is really in charge and that with God, "the worst thing is never the last thing" are exactly the kinds of things I needed to hear.

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ambitious effort to survey Christian understandings of Christmas, intended for Advent study groups but suitable for individual reading. The first chapter, on Jesus-as-king, is not as successful as Hamilton gets distracted by the presidential campaign underway as he wrote, but the others reflect deep thought and a desire to get beyond superficial readings of the Gospels.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hamilton’s books always resonate and are great for our Sunday School class discussions. This one was timely (he wrote it in the spring when Covid was having its first peak) and was perfect for Advent.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very readable book that brings the Incarnation into everyday language, but has wise insights to contemplate. It is written with today’s issues referenced, which is helpful to putting the scriptures into context for our present concerns.

[Mary Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect book to study for Advent. I gained a greater perspective on the many names that the Bible uses to describe Jesus. So glad that our pastors chose it for the Advent sermons and that our study group chose to read and discuss it this past month. I highly recommend it.

[Karen Berlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A concise short book for the season of Advent that uses scripture and historical context to examine some of the names assigned to Christ (messiah, king, savior, Emmanuel) culminating with "light of the world" and a hopeful invitation to participate in bringing light to dark places.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

After having done many Advent studies through the years, I went into this book expecting another ho-hum study. It far exceeded my expectations. It did a good job of acknowledging and addressing the unique issues we faced in 2020 in light of Advent without getting political. Highly recommend!

[Gail Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this book and watched the accompanying video in our Bible Study. It does a great job of exploring the various names given to Christ when he is born and inspired some great discussion. It was expecially timely, having been written during the COVID pandemic.

[Melissa Steinecker]

I liked this study as it's focus is a bit different than some of the more traditional studies on the birth narrative. Names have meanings and I like how Adam Hamilton explores the implications of the names of Christ through the lens of modern history.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a Sunday School text, came with videos that we watched in Sunday School.
The main study point is how God coming to earth changed how people saw God, how people saw each other and how people are supposed to act in reaction to the Incarnation.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

The thing that sticks with me is that Matthew starts with the announcement of Emmanuel (God with Us) and ends with "I will be with you always, even to the end of the age." God is with us. We are not alone.

Love how Hamilton includes not only scripture but hymns as part of his discussions.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Done all of the Adam Hamilton books and studies, usually at our Church Bible Study group. This however was on zoom so perhaps that is why I don't feel it as powerful or resourceful as others.
I do agree with the review that states the Epilogue was the best part of the read. a

[Kenneth Sowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

an excellent and current book for Advent reading