The topic of the Incarnation of Christ and his Nativity has long intrigued and amazed Christians. As we celebrate Christmas, Watani presents its readers with a collection of excerpts of the contemplations of some eminent Church fathers on the topic.
“He was seen as an infant in swaddling clothes lying in the bosom of the Virgin who bore him, yet He filled the entire creation as God, for the Divine has no quantity or magnitude, and is not limited.
“He is the creator of the ages, co-eternal with the Father, and creator of all things. He was incarnated in the flesh from the womb. He was born in order to bless our very existence so the curse against the whole race might be abolished. It was written in the Scriptures “Death has prevailed and swallowed men up; but again God has taken away every tear from every face”(Is 25: 8)
Pope Kyrillos I (Cyril the Great); Letter 17: 8, 18
“As it was impossible in the early times of creation for man to exist, unless the clay were in God’s hands, so in the same way, it would have been impossible to correct the human vessel that had become spoilt, unless it became an attire to Him who created it.
But what can one say about God’s wonders? I am overtaken by amazement: He who is ancient of days became a child! He who is seated on the high bright throne was placed in a manger! The non-tangible, uncompounded, and incorporeal became fettered by human hands! He who broke the shackles of sin is tied by fetters because he desired it! He wanted to transform vileness into honour and clothe shame with glory, to make what was a source of contempt a means of virtue! For that reason He came to my body that I may embrace His word! He took my flesh and gave me His Holy Spirit, so that through His taking and giving He may introduce the treasure of life into me! He took my flesh to purify me and gave me His Spirit to save me!”
John Chrysostom, in natalem Christi Diem
“For He became Son of man, God’s own Son, to make the sons of men children of God, for when God in the Highest associates with the low, His honour is not belittled, but He is capable of raising the low from their wretchedness. He raised us, who were sitting in disgrace and darkness, to inexpressible glory.”
Sermon 11 of the interpretation of the Gospel of St John; The Greek Fathers Collection
“The One Infinite has assumed flesh; the Word has incarnated; the Invisible has become visible; the Impalpable has been touchable; the Son of God becomes Son of Man, Jesus Christ, He who is yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13: 8)”
St Gergory Nazianzeh; Homily 38, On the Theophany
“The fact that a Virgin bears a Child is a miracle that proves that the Son should be the Maker and Lord of all humanity.
“He the Mighty One, the Maker of all, has chosen to be born of a Virgin and dwelt to reveal Himself to us.”
St Athanasius, On The Incarnation II: 8
“Since He came to our realm and dwelt in a body similar to ours, the snares of the enemy against men have ceased and death has no power over man. Mankind would have perished, unless the Lord and Saviour, the Son of God, had come to conquer death.”
St Athanasius, On The Incarnation II: 9
“No one but God could recreate man in His image, nor could anyone change what was mortal to immortal, but our Lord Jesus Christ, who is life itself.”
St Athanasius, On The Incarnation IV: 20
“The Word of God came in His own Person, because it was He alone, the Image of the Father, Who could recreate man made after the Image. In order to effect this re-creation, however, He had first to do away with death and corruption. Therefore He assumed a human body, in order that in death it might once and for all be destroyed, and that men might be renewed according to the Image [of God].”
St Athanasius, On the Incarnation
“God becomes powerless before human freedom; He cannot violate it since it flows from His own omnipotence. Certainly man was created by the will of God alone; but he cannot be deified [made Holy] by it alone. A single will for creation, but two for deification. A single will to raise up the image, but two to make the image into a likeness. The love of God for man is so great that it cannot constrain; for there is no love without respect. Divine will always will submit itself to gropings, to detours, even to revolts of human will to bring it to a free consent.”
Vladimir Lossky, Orthodox Theology: An Introduction
