I grew up going to church. But around 12 years old, there was a Sunday, I remember, there was a pastor that was invited to our church … Crusader Baptist church in Argentina. And I remember just coming to that place where you hear the question, and it was a very convicting moment. And then I just came to him.

Having our first baby, we adopted three kids, but I just remember seeing Laura, our oldest one — being there, seeing her as a baby. And so the meaning of Incarnation … just my thought went to Jesus being born. And what did that mean to me? I became a father, and that gave me the chance to see the Father heart of God and bringing a baby into the world.

What comes to mind, thinking of Jesus' second coming, is mighty and power, and just celebration, just the longing to see his face. That's what really strikes me. It's almost like, can't wait. In the midst of all the chaos and everything that is around us, is the light coming to us again.

WATCH MORE ON CHRIST'S BIRTH

Annie Nagaoka: Mary, Did You Know?

“In April, Charlotte was born. And when I was holding her, it really struck me that the God of our whole universe, who we depend upon for everything, made the decision to come down and be an incarnate baby, and become completely dependent on His creation…”

Emily Davis: The Soul Felt Its Worth

“One of the biggest things that really reinforces the Incarnation to me is holding a newborn. My husband and I have seven children, including newborn twins. And every time we have a baby in the house around Christmas time, it just reminds me so much of the value and preciousness of life to God…”

Kate Ashbrook: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

“When I was thinking about the Incarnation and a Christmas song that meant a lot to me, I was thinking back to when I was expecting our second daughter and she was due mid January and we knew she had Down syndrome and would need a major open heart surgery shortly after she was born. And I think the weightiness of that Christmas…”

Bekah Tello: A Thrill of Hope

“I think the Incarnation hit me quite deeply two Christmases ago when I was expecting our second son and was pregnant over the holiday season. And it really started to resonate with me how much Jesus dignified our human body…”

Randall Rhodes: Remaining Open

“The part that most intrigues me [about the Christmas story] is just Joseph's willingness to go along with this plan. He's engaged to this woman who ends up being pregnant and he doesn't want to shame her, he doesn't want to bring shame to her or to his family or her family. He plans to divorce her quietly. But then just having an angelic visitation come to him and say, ‘No, this is from the Lord’ …”

Kristina Kroon: O Come, All Ye Faithful

“One of my favorite Christmas carols is “O Come, All Ye Faithful.” I just love the invitation in there. I love the words, O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, and those are descriptors that I don't normally think to label myself, especially in mid December. I think of myself as frazzled, exhausted, drained. But that carol is an invitation to worship the Lord …”