Advent Day 18:Holy
"We can never understand the doctrine of the incarnation whereby God the Creator became the human creature. That is beyond understanding! But we can believe it, and rejoice in it!"
—Henry Morris, “When God became Man"
—Henry Morris, “When God became Man"
Holy God or mortal human—Who was Jesus?
from Oration 29
by Gregory of Nazianzus (330-390 AD)
from Oration 29
by Gregory of Nazianzus (330-390 AD)
He (Christ, the Word) Who is now Man was once the Uncompounded.
What He was (God) He continued to be; what He was not (human) He took to Himself.
What He was (God) He continued to be; what He was not (human) He took to Himself.
In the beginning He was, uncaused; for what is the Cause of God? But afterwards for a cause He was born. And that cause was that you might be saved—you who insult Him and despise His Godhead… Human and God blended; they became a single whole.
He was laid in a manger— but He was glorified by Angels, and proclaimed by a star, and worshipped by the Magi. He was driven into exile into Egypt— but He drove away the Egyptian idols. As man he was put to the test, but as God he came through victorious—yes, bids us be of good cheer, because he has conquered the world.
He hungered—yet he fed thousands. He is indeed “living, heavenly bread.”
He thirsted—yet he exclaimed: “Whosoever thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” Indeed he promised that believers would become fountains.
He was tired—yet he is the rest of the weary and the burdened.
He was overcome by heavy sleep—yet he goes lightly over the sea, rebukes winds, and relieves the drowning Peter.
He is called a “Samaritan, demonically possessed”—but he rescues the man who came down from Jerusalem and fell among thieves.
He prays, yet he hears prayer.
He weeps, yet he puts an end to weeping.
He asks where Lazarus is laid—he was man; yet he raises Lazarus—he was God.
He thirsted—yet he exclaimed: “Whosoever thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” Indeed he promised that believers would become fountains.
He was tired—yet he is the rest of the weary and the burdened.
He was overcome by heavy sleep—yet he goes lightly over the sea, rebukes winds, and relieves the drowning Peter.
He is called a “Samaritan, demonically possessed”—but he rescues the man who came down from Jerusalem and fell among thieves.
He prays, yet he hears prayer.
He weeps, yet he puts an end to weeping.
He asks where Lazarus is laid—he was man; yet he raises Lazarus—he was God.
A sheep, he is led to the slaughter—yet he cures every disease and every weakness.
He is brought up to the tree and nailed to it—yet by the tree of life he restores us. Yes, he saves even a thief crucified with him. He is given vinegar to drink, gall to eat—and who is he? Why, one who turned water into wine, who took away the taste of bitterness, who is all sweetness and desire. The veil is rent, for things of heaven are being revealed. He dies, but he vivifies and by death destroys death. He is buried, yet he rises again. He leads souls up, ascends to heaven, and will come to judge quick and dead.
He is brought up to the tree and nailed to it—yet by the tree of life he restores us. Yes, he saves even a thief crucified with him. He is given vinegar to drink, gall to eat—and who is he? Why, one who turned water into wine, who took away the taste of bitterness, who is all sweetness and desire. The veil is rent, for things of heaven are being revealed. He dies, but he vivifies and by death destroys death. He is buried, yet he rises again. He leads souls up, ascends to heaven, and will come to judge quick and dead.
Oh come Divine Messiah
The world is longing for the day
When hope shall sing it's triumph
And sadness flies away
Dear Savior come to tired earth
And bring the grace of dawn
Dispel the night with thy face
Come, Messiah, come
There is hope today
That God Himself will shine upon our
Souls and say
Unto you a Savior comes and
Everything will change
Everything will change
The world is longing for the day
When hope shall sing it's triumph
And sadness flies away
Dear Savior come to tired earth
And bring the grace of dawn
Dispel the night with thy face
Come, Messiah, come
There is hope today
That God Himself will shine upon our
Souls and say
Unto you a Savior comes and
Everything will change
Everything will change
Tomorrow’s word: Ordinary →
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