The Wonder of the Incarnation of the Eternal Word of God
The Wonder of the Incarnation of the Eternal Word of God
By Pastor John Dawson
This Christmas meditation is from St. Augustine, more than 1600 years ago. As you contemplate the bishop’s words, may the wonder and glory of Christmas shine in your heart.
The word of the Father, by whom all time was created, was made flesh and was born in time for us. He without whose divine permission no day completes its course, wished to have one day set aside for his human birth. In the bosom of his Father, he existed before all the cycles of ages; born of an earthly mother, he entered upon the course of the years on that day.
Man's maker became Man
that he, Ruler of the stars, might nurse at his mother's breast;
that he, the Bread, might hunger;
that he, the Fountain might thirst;
that he, the Light, might sleep;
that he, the Way, might be wearied by the journey;
that he, the Truth, might be accused by false witnesses;
that he, Judge of the living and the dead, might be brought to trial by a mortal judge;
that he, Justice, might be condemned by the unjust;
that he, Discipline, might be scourged with whips;
that he, the Foundation, might be suspended upon a cross;
that he, Courage, might be weakened;
that he, the Healer, might be wounded;
that he, Life might die.
To endure these and similar indignities for us, to free us unworthy creatures, he who existed as the Son of God before all ages without a beginning, designed to become the Son of Man in time.
He did this although he who submitted to so such great evils for our sake had done no evil and although we, who were the recipients of so much good at his hands, had done nothing to merit these benefits.
Begotten by the Father, he was not made by the Father. He was made man in the mother whom he himself had made, so that he might exist here for a while, sprung from her who could never and nowhere have existed except through his power.
Be filled with Christ and have a happy Christmas,
Pastor John