Here’s Augustine with a meditation on the Incarnation. More ancient words to meditate on during these days of Christmas. (ht)
By the way, the connection he makes between the Incarnation and the crucifixion is an important and traditional one that helps us not sentimentalize Christmas. If you look closely at Luke’s account of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, they are tinged with a dark foreshadowing of the events to come.
Man’s maker was made man,
that He, Ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother’s breast;
that the Bread might hunger,
the Fountain thirst,
the Light sleep,
the Way be tired on its journey;
that the Truth might be accused of false witness,
the Teacher be beaten with whips,
the Foundation be suspended on wood;
that Strength might grow weak;
that the Healer might be wounded;
that Life might die.– Augustine of Hippo (Sermons 191.1)
(Painting info: “Nativity” by Brian Kershisnik, oil/canvas, 88″ x 204″ © 2006 – purchase prints here)