"He became man, that we might become gods." Something very like that is one of the cornerstone statements of St. Athanasius' On the Incarnation of the Word of God. Athanasius, a 4th century bishop of Alexandria and one of the chief defenders of the Trinity for many years, wrote this work as a very young man, possibly a teenager. In it he defends the doctrine of the Incarnation, showing how humanity had fallen from God's design and how the Word of God Himself had taken on human flesh to redeem us and restore us to the glory of God's plans for us. He became one of us that we might become one with Him in grace if not in essence. Through His grace the door is opened whereby we can become so much greater than we are now and enjoy His presence for eternity. Athanasius' views on the incarnation are included in the words of the Nicene Creed:
"I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God, begotten of His Father from before all worlds. God of God. Light of Light. True God of True God. Begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, and by whom all things are made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit by the Virgin Mary and was made man."
"What Child is this, who laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing.
Haste! Haste to bring him laud
The babe the son of Mary.
Why lies he in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear. For sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nail, spear shall pierce him through,
The cross be born for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The babe the son of Mary.
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh.
Come peasant, king to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings.
Let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise! Raise the song on high!
The Virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy! Joy! For Christ is born,
The babe the son of Mary."
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5 comments:
Merry Christmas, Everett. I hope you're having a good season.
That's one of my favorite carols! One of your sisters asked for new pictures of Avery. I can't remember which one it is, but she's the one without Cora. Could you spread the news that she can see a new one at my blog??? Thanks!
TK
Merry Christmas! Hope you liked your t-shirt!
I forgot to tell you--in my stocking, I had a little chocolate Santy Claus.
So I bit his head off.
Becca, we got chocolate bullets this year. Have you had those? They're wrapped like Sandy Clauses, but inside, they're little chocolate missiles. Taste the same. No heads, though. Bubba pretended it was a Sandy Clause. Same effect.
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