Book excerpt: ‘Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail the incarnate deity ... Jesus, our Emmanuel.’ Great words, from one of the most popular Christmas carols -- but what do they actually mean and do they really matter? Melvin Tinker introduces the doctrine of the incarnation of God the Son in Jesus Christ, in two parts. Part One approaches the incarnation by way of an exposition of chapter 1 of the New Testament letter to the Hebrews. This grounds the doctrine in Scripture, working through some of the theological and pastoral implications. Part Two goes deeper, drawing on systematic and historical theology (especially the creeds) to tease out what the doctrine means and why it is vital to the life and health of the church and Christian devotion. While the treatment is clearly theological (dealing with biblical truth), it is also doxological (leading to praise) and pastoral (practical in its outworking) The doctrine is set alongside and related to two other key Christian beliefs - the Trinity and the Atonement.