Incarnation, The

   A Latinized name for the act by which the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, God's Only Son, the Eternal "Word was made Flesh," i.e., took our nature upon Him; and also for the Doctrine that "the Godhead and Manhood were joined together in one Person never to be divided" (II Article of Religion). This truth is embodied for us in the Creed, in the words, "Jesus Christ, His Only Son our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary." This great outward fact is the foundation of all that follows: upon it Christianity depends and all Christian Doctrine has reference to it. By reason of the Incarnation the Church as a living Body becomes Christ's Body on earth, and in the Church and by means of it man is brought into union with Him who is the beginning of a new race, the Head of a new and spiritual creation. Thus it is that the Sacraments, which are often called the "Extension of the Incarnation," become more than they seem. They are the means of our participation in Christ's Holy Humanity, and of our growing into His likeness, as we use them with faith and true repentance.