(Latin: in, in; caro, flesh)
The word used to express the union of the Divine nature of the Son of God with human nature, in the Person of Jesus Christ. The Apostle, Saint John, says: "The Word was made Flesh" (John 1). The Word is the Son of God; by flesh in Scripture is meant mankind, human nature, man, body and soul, as in Luke 3: "And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." The Son of God assumed our flesh and dwelt among us like one of us in order to redeem us. His Divine nature was substantially united to our human nature. In the old calendars the feast of the Annunciation was called feast of the Incarnation. In the Orient the mystery is commemorated by a special feast, December 26,. The third versicle of the Angelus is: "The Word was made Flesh, and dwelt among us."