When I look at Augustine’s words—that Christ was born of a woman He Himself created, carried by hands He Himself formed, the Logos Word of God crying wordlessly in a lowly manger—I am struck by the magnificence of our savior’s sacrifice. It didn’t happen only at the cross. It began when He stepped down from His eternal throne to enter the human world, becoming one with His creation, relinquishing His position of cosmic authority to instead become completely reliant upon earthly parents who would care for and nurture Him to adulthood. Though everything He interacted with during the next 33 years was His personal handiwork He could command at any time, He instead chose to benevolently teach and humbly serve, becoming ultimately a willing sacrifice atoning for our sins. Can you imagine stepping down from perfect eternal heaven into a world hardened by sin and death? No greater sacrifice…
A wondrous star led three Magi to Bethlehem where a host of angels had previously announced His birth to lowly shepherds. Jesus, king of all, offered himself for the most humble of humanity and still does. Yet He is honored by the wisest earthly rulers. His precious light still guides us to Him today.
How much love it takes to give up everything He was to become for a time everything we are. And to take upon Himself everything of which He was innocent to wash us of the filthiness of our extreme guilt.
No wonder at Christmas we exchange gifts with one another—a small token sacrifice of our wealth in remembrance that Jesus gave us His everything.
“He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, He the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute.”
― Augustine
Dear Jesus, nothing can ever repay the wonderful gift You bestowed. But, by the Holy Spirit, reform our hearts to be like You in gratitude for the sacrifice of Your birth. Amen.