The Incarnation and redemption

Question 60

Did God abandon man after he fell into sin?

God did not abandon man after he fell into sin, but promised him a Redeemer, who was to satisfy for man's sin and reopen to him the gates of heaven.

Question 61

Who is the Redeemer?

Our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of mankind.

Question 62

What do you believe of Jesus Christ?

I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the second Person of the Blessed Trinity, true God and true man.

Question 63

Why is Jesus Christ true God?

Jesus Christ is true God because He is the true and only Son of God the Father.

Question 64

Why is Jesus Christ true man?

Jesus Christ is true man because He is the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary and has a body and soul like ours.

Question 65

How many natures are there in Jesus Christ?

In Jesus Christ there are two natures, the nature of God and the nature of man.

Question 66

Is Jesus Christ more than one person?

No, Jesus Christ is but one Divine Person.

Question 67

Was Jesus Christ always God?

Jesus Christ was always God, as He is the second Person of the Blessed Trinity, equal to His Father from all eternity.

Question 68

Was Jesus Christ always man?

Jesus Christ was not always man, but became man at the time of His Incarnation.

Question 69

What do you mean by the Incarnation?

By the Incarnation I mean that the Son of God was made man.

Question 70

How was the Son of God made man?

The Son of God was conceived and made man by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Question 71

Is the Blessed Virgin Mary truly the Mother of God?

The Blessed Virgin Mary is truly the Mother of God, because the same Divine Person who is the Son of God is also the Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Question 72

Did the Son of God become man immediately after the sin of our first parents?

The Son of God did not become man immediately after the sin of our first parents, but was promised to them as a Redeemer.

Question 73

How could they be saved who lived before the Son of God became man?

They who lived before the Son of God became man could be saved by believing in a Redeemer to come, and by keeping the commandments.

Question 74

On what day was the Son of God conceived and made man?

The Son of God was conceived and made man on Annunciation day—the day on which the Angel Gabriel announced to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she was to be the Mother of God.

Question 75

On what day was Christ born?

Christ was born on Christmas day in a stable at Bethlehem, over nineteen hundred years ago.

Question 76

How long did Christ live on earth?

Christ lived on earth about thirty-three years, and led a most holy life in poverty and suffering.

Question 77

Why did Christ live so long on earth?

Christ lived so long on earth to show us the way to heaven by His teachings and example.

Promise and fulfillment

Questions 60, 61, 72, 73

The lesson begins with God's continuing care after sin. Redeemer names Jesus in relation to the salvation of humanity. Questions 72–73 then look backward: the promise precedes its fulfillment. Read them with Galatians 4, where Paul connects the sending of the Son with adoption. The order of the lesson matters: Jesus is introduced as the fulfillment of God's saving purpose, rather than as a response disconnected from Israel's history and hope.

One person, two natures

Questions 62, 63, 64, 65, 66

Person answers who Jesus is: the divine Son. Nature concerns his divinity and humanity. The confession is not that Jesus is half divine and half human, nor that two separate people share a name. Catechism 464–469 explains that he is fully God and fully human in one person. His humanity includes a real human body and soul. Keep these distinctions together when reading the Gospel: the one who teaches, suffers, and loves is the same Son whom Christians confess as Lord.

What begins at the Incarnation

Questions 67, 68, 69

The Son does not begin to exist when Jesus is conceived. What begins is his human life. Incarnation names his taking human nature while remaining God. John 1 moves from the Word's relation to God and creation to the Word becoming flesh. Read the full movement instead of treating the final phrase as if it meant a divine person merely appeared in disguise.

Mary and the Annunciation

Questions 70, 71, 74

Luke presents Gabriel's announcement, Mary's question, and her response. Mother of God identifies the person she bears: the Son who is God. It does not mean that Mary created the divine nature or existed before God. The Annunciation celebrates the conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit. This event is distinct from Mary's Immaculate Conception, discussed in Lesson 5. The two teachings concern different conceptions and should not be merged.

Reading the historical wording

Questions 75, 76, 77

Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birth; Luke's account names Bethlehem and the manger but gives no calendar date. The old answer's phrase over nineteen hundred years ago belongs to the edition's historical setting. Its estimate of thirty-three years is approximate. Preserve the source wording while recognizing these limits. The final answer directs attention to Jesus' teaching and example: studying the Incarnation includes attending to how he lives and calls others to follow him.

John 1:1–18

The prologue joins the Word's divinity with the real coming of the Word in human flesh.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Luke 1:26–38

The Annunciation narrative supplies the setting for the lesson's teaching about Mary's response and Jesus' conception.

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Luke 2:1–20

The complete birth scene distinguishes the Gospel's details from later assumptions about the date.

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Galatians 4:4–7

Paul connects the sending of the Son with redemption and adoption as God's children.

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.