incarnation

A byproduct of having taken the SAT, ACT and the GRE at various points in time (and actually having prepared for one of the three) is that some latin word roots are etched into my brain and pop up with their definitition like a parenthentical note when I see them. Two examples: "mal" = bad as in malevolent, malicious; "bene" = good as in benefit, benefactor. (You don't really want to know many more details about how my brain works.)

"Carne" (or is it officially "carn"?) is another one -- meat as in carnivore or chili con carne. And my favorite use of it is in the word "incarnation." It's a theological concept that really just sends shivers down my spine or chokes me up a bit, depending on the day. It's what I really love thinking about and celebrating at Christmas. The Incarnation. Giving something meat. Specifically, God giving Himself physical meat to walk with us on this earth so we could get a picture of something we have so much trouble understanding - who He truly is. How fantastic is that? I actually really like the fact that at the same time I see the word "incarnation" the words "carnivore" and "chili con carne" jump into my head because they keep the meaning so literal. God with meat. That's how real He is.