December 21 Advent thoughts

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

On December 25, 386 A.D. in Antioch, John Chrysostom will preach the first known Nativity sermon. He chose this date based on his calculations from scripture that this was the day the Christ was born. In it, he would state ‘…Because God is now on earth, and man in heaven; on every side all things commingle. He has come on earth, while being Whole in heaven; and while complete in heaven, He is without diminution on earth. Though He was God, He became Man; not denying Himself to be God. Though being the impassable Word, He became flesh; that He might dwell amongst us, He became Flesh. He did not become God. He was God. Wherefore He became flesh, so that He Whom heaven did not contain, a manger would this day receive. He was placed in a manger, so that He, by whom all things are nourished, may receive an infant’s food from His Virgin Mother. So, the Father of all ages, as an infant at the breast, nestles in the virginal arms, that the Magi may more easily see Him. Since this day the Magi too have come, and made a beginning of withstanding tyranny; and the heavens give glory, as the Lord is revealed by a star.’ As we approach December 25, 2022 A.D. let us too see the Christ, God in flesh.

Christ by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord.

Late in time behold Him come, offspring of the virgin’s womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail the incarnate Deity,

Pleased with us enflesh to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel.

-Hark How All the Welkin Ring (Hark, the Herald Angels Sing) written by Charles Wesley, 1739