Christ is born, glorify him. Christ from heaven, go out to meet him. Christ on earth: be exalted. Sing unto the Lord all the whole earth; and that I may join both in one word, Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, for him who is of heaven and then of earth. Christ in the flesh, rejoice with trembling and with joy; with trembling because of your sins, with joy because of your hope.… Who does not worship him that is from the beginning? Who does not glorify him that is the last?
Again the darkness is past. Again light is made. Again Egypt is punished with darkness. Again Israel is enlightened by a pillar. The people that sat in the darkness of ignorance, let it see the great light of full knowledge. Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new. The letter gives way, the Spirit comes to the front. The shadows flee away, the truth comes in upon them. Melchizedek is concluded. He that was without mother becomes without father (without mother of his former state, without father of his second). The laws of nature are upset; the world above must be filled. Christ commands it, let us not set ourselves against Him. O clap your hands together all people, because unto us a child is born, and a son given unto us, whose government is upon his shoulder (for with the cross it is raised up), and his name is called the angel of the great counsel of the Father.* Let John cry, “Prepare the way of the Lord:” I too will cry the power of this day. He who is not carnal is incarnate; the son of God becomes the son of man, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.† Let the Jews be offended, let the Greeks deride.‡ Let heretics talk till their tongues ache. Then shall they believe, when they see Him ascending up into heaven; and if not then, yet when they see Him coming out of heaven and sitting as judge.
* Isaiah 5:6
† Hebrews 13:8
‡ 1 Corinthians 1:23
Again the darkness is past. Again light is made. Again Egypt is punished with darkness. Again Israel is enlightened by a pillar. The people that sat in the darkness of ignorance, let it see the great light of full knowledge. Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new. The letter gives way, the Spirit comes to the front. The shadows flee away, the truth comes in upon them. Melchizedek is concluded. He that was without mother becomes without father (without mother of his former state, without father of his second). The laws of nature are upset; the world above must be filled. Christ commands it, let us not set ourselves against Him. O clap your hands together all people, because unto us a child is born, and a son given unto us, whose government is upon his shoulder (for with the cross it is raised up), and his name is called the angel of the great counsel of the Father.* Let John cry, “Prepare the way of the Lord:” I too will cry the power of this day. He who is not carnal is incarnate; the son of God becomes the son of man, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.† Let the Jews be offended, let the Greeks deride.‡ Let heretics talk till their tongues ache. Then shall they believe, when they see Him ascending up into heaven; and if not then, yet when they see Him coming out of heaven and sitting as judge.
Gregory Nazianzen, On the Theophany, or Birthday of Christ, Oration XXXVIII.1-2
* Isaiah 5:6
† Hebrews 13:8
‡ 1 Corinthians 1:23
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