December 27

n what way was the Lord with her, who soon afterward came forth from her? As a craftsman upon finding some suitable material fashions a beautiful vessel, so Christ upon finding a virgin holy both in body and soul fashioned for himself a living temple. There, in the way he willed, he formed the human nature in which he clothed himself and this day came forth, unashamed of that nature's deformity. For him it was no cause for shame to put on what he himself had made, and for his creature it was a great glory to become the cloak of her Creator. As in the first creation the human race could not be founded until the clay came into his hand, so now our corruptible nature could not be transformed until it had become the garment of its Maker.

How can I put this into words, how express it? This wonder fills me with amazement. The Ancient of Days becomes a child, he who sits upon the throne, high and exalted, is laid in a manger. He who has broken the bonds of sin is wrapped in swaddling-bands, for this is his will. He wills opprobrium to become honor, disgrace to be clothed in glory, and the most outrageous abuse to demonstrate the extent of his goodness.

From John E. Rotelle, O.S.A., Tradition Day by Day: Readings from Church Writers. Augustinian Press. Villanova, PA, 1994.

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