I’ve become convinced that what makes the difference for Christianity is the incarnation. No other faith says God became flesh … Christmas and the incarnation mean that God went to infinite lengths to make himself one whom we can know personally. – Timothy J. Keller, Hidden Christmas: The Suprising Truth Behind the Birth of Christ
At the heart of the gospel message is the mystery of the incarnation. Moved by love for the world, God “became flesh and made his dwelling among us” in Jesus. We mirror God’s love when we take a humble posture that opens us to understanding someone different from us.
Deaf culture has a way to describe hearing people who do this: Deaf heart. It is a sign given in honor— the gesture of ‘Deaf’ placed over the heart. This expression comes from a secular Deaf perspective, which is largely isolated from the gospel. And yet, it reveals an intuitive ability to see the spark of the God-with-us story.
To have a Deaf heart is to form an incarnational connection with Deaf people over time. It is not about facts or even sign language. Rather, it is about arriving at a heart-level understanding of what it means to live every moment of every day with little or no sound.
It is about learning Deaf stories, affirming Deaf gifts, and caring about Deaf concerns. It is about celebrating every aspect of a Deaf person’s God- given identity. It is about ensuring Deaf access to opportunities that meet the human needs we all have in common: food, shelter, communication, respect, and belonging.
For Christians on the journey of developing a Deaf heart, we also arrive at a spiritual desire. We want to see the Word become flesh in the gestures of sign languages worldwide. To see God’s love alive in the hands and faces of Deaf communities.
WAYS TO OPEN YOUR HEART
Every journey happens one step at a time. We’re here to walk with you.
- Join our email list
- Pray with us
- Visit DeafBible.com or download the Deaf Bible app
- Make sure your local Deaf ministry is listed on DeafChurchWhere.com
- Give financially to further our shared mission
