Patristic Wisdom: Looking to the Second Sunday after Christmas

His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. (Luke 2:41–50)

Sometimes you read the Scriptures and in them seek their meaning with a certain sorrow, and even pain. This is not because you think the Scriptures erred, or contain something wrong. Rather, they contain within themselves an expression and account of the truth. You cannot discover what is true. In just this way his parents sought Jesus, lest perhaps He withdraw from them, or leave them and pass over to some other realm, or—what I consider more likely—lest He return to heaven to come down again when it pleased Him. Therefore, they sought the Son of God “in sorrow.” When they sought Him, they did not find Him “among their relatives.” For, a human relationship could not contain the Son of God. They did not find Him “among their acquaintances,” because divine power is greater than mortal acquaintance and knowledge. Where, then, did they find Him? “In the temple.” For, it is there that the Son of God is found. If you ever seek the Son of God, look first in the temple; hasten thither. There you will find Christ, the Word and Wisdom—that is, the Son of God.

Because He was a small child, He is found “in the midst of the teachers,” sanctifying and instructing them. Because He was a small child, He is found “in their midst,” not teaching them but “asking questions.” He did this because it suited His age, to teach us what befits boys, even if they are wise and learned. They should rather hear their teachers than want to teach them, and not show off with empty displays. As I was saying, He interrogated the teachers not to learn anything, but to teach them by His questions. From one fountain of doctrine, there flow both wise questions and wise answers. It is part of the same wisdom to know what you should ask and what you should answer. It was right for the Savior first to become a master of learned interrogation; later He would answer questions according to God’s Reason and Word.

Origen, Homilies on Luke 19.5–6

Patristic Wisdom for the First Sunday after Christmas

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation
Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”

And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:25–35)

The Son came to the servant not to be presented by the servant, but so that, through the Son, the servant might present to his Lord the priesthood and prophecy that had been entrusted to his keeping. Prophecy and priesthood, which had been given through Moses, were both passed down, and came to rest on Simeon. He was a pure vessel who consecrated himself, so that, like Moses, he too could contain them both. These were feeble vessels that accommodated great gifts—gifts that one might contain because of their goodness but that many cannot accept, because of their greatness. Simeon presented our Lord, and in him he presented the two gifts he had, so that what had been given Moses in the desert was passed on by Simeon in the temple. Because our Lord is the vessel in which all fullness dwells, when Simeon presented him to God, he poured out both of these upon him: the priesthood from his hands and prophecy from his lips. The priesthood had always been on Simeon's hands, because of ritual purifications. Prophecy, in fact, dwelt on his lips because of revelations. When both of these saw the Lord of both of these, they were combined and were poured into the vessel that could accommodate them both, in order to contain priesthood, kingship and prophecy.

That infant who was wrapped in swaddling clothes by virtue of his goodness was also dressed in priesthood and prophecy by virtue of his majesty. Simeon dressed him in these and presented him to the one who had dressed him in swaddling clothes. Then, as the old man returned him to his mother, he returned the priesthood with him. And when he prophesied to her about him: “This child is destined for the downfall and rising,” he gave her prophecy with him as well.

So Mary took her firstborn and left. Although he was visibly wrapped in swaddling clothes, he was invisibly clothed with prophecy and priesthood. Thus, what Moses had been given was received from Simeon, and it remained and continued with the Lord of these two gifts. The former steward and the final treasurer handed over the keys of priesthood and prophecy to the one in authority over the treasury of both of these. This is why his Father gave him the Spirit without measure, because all measures of the Spirit are under his hand. And to indicate that he received the keys from the former stewards, our Lord said to Simon, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Now how could he give them to someone unless he had received them from someone else? So the keys he had received from Simeon the priest, he gave to another Simeon, the apostle. So even though the Jewish nation did not listen to the first Simeon, the Gentile nations would listen to the other Simeon.

Ephrem the Syrian, Homily on Our Lord 53.1–54.1.

Patristic Wisdom for Christmas Day

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. (Luke 2:15–20)

When therefore you see the child wrapped in swaddling-clothes, stay not your thought solely upon His birth in the flesh, but mount up to the contemplation of His godlike glory: elevate your mind aloft: ascend to heaven: so will you behold Him in the highest exaltation, possessed of transcendent glory; you will see Him “set upon a throne high and lifted up;” you will hear the Seraphim extolling Him in hymns, and saying that heaven and earth are full of His glory. Yea! even upon earth this has come to pass: for the glory of God shone upon the shepherds, and there was a multitude of the heavenly armies telling Christ’s glory. And this it was which was proclaimed of old by the voice of Moses, “Rejoice, you heavens, with Him, and let all the sons of God worship Him.” For very many holy prophets had been born from time to time, but never had any one of them been glorified by the voice of angels: for they were men, and according to the same measure as ourselves, the true servants of God, and bearers of His words. But not so was Christ: for He is God and Lord, and the Sender of the holy prophets, and, as the Psalmist says, “Who in the clouds shall be compared unto the Lord, and who shall be likened unto the Lord among the sons of God?” For the appellation of sonship is bestowed by Him as of grace upon us who lie under the yoke, and are by nature slaves: but Christ is the true Son, that is, He is the Son of God the Father by nature, even when He had become flesh: for He continued, as I have said, to be that which He had ever been, though He took upon Him that which He had not been.

Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on Luke 2

Patristic Wisdom for Christmas Eve

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2:8–15)

Look not therefore upon Him Who was laid in the manger as a babe merely, but in our poverty see Him Who as God is rich, and in the measure of our humanity Him Who excels the inhabitants of heaven, and Who therefore is glorified even by the holy angels. And how noble was the hymn, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and among men good will!” For the angels and archangels, thrones and lordships, and high above them the Seraphim, preserving their settled order, are at peace with God: for never in any way do they transgress His good pleasure, but are firmly established in righteousness and holiness. But we, wretched beings, by having set up our own lusts in opposition to the will of our Lord, had put ourselves into the position of enemies unto Him. But by Christ this has been done away: for He is our peace; for He has united us by Himself unto God the Father, having taken away from the middle the cause of the enmity, even sin, and so justifies us by faith, and makes us holy and without blame, and calls near unto Him those who were afar off: and besides this, He has created the two people into one new man, so making peace, and reconciling both in one body to the Father. For it pleased God the Father to form into one new whole all things in Him, and to bind together things below and things above, and to make those in heaven and those on earth into one flock. Christ therefore has been made for us both Peace and Goodwill.

Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on Luke 2

Truly alert, they did not say, Let us see the child, let us find out what is being announced; but: “Let us see the word that has been made.’ “In the beginning was the Word.” “And the Word was made flesh.” The Word that has always been, let us see how it was made for us. “And see this word which was made, which the Lord has made, and has made known to us.” This same Word made itself, inasmuch as this same Word is the Lord. Let us see, therefore, in what way this same Word, the Lord Himself, has made Himself and has made His flesh known to us. Because we could not see Him as long as He was the Word, let us see His flesh because it is flesh; let us see how the Word was made flesh. “So they went with haste.” The ardent longing of their souls gave wings to their feet; they could not keep pace with their yearning to see Him: “So they went with haste.” Because they ran so eagerly, they find Him whom they sought.

Jerome, On the Nativity of the Lord

Patristic Wisdom: Looking to the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:39–45)

Elizabeth says, “Why does this happen to me?” She is utterly filled with the Holy Spirit. She does not speak in ignorance, as if she did not know that, according to God’s will, the mother of the Lord was coming to her. She rather speaks with this meaning: “What good have I done? What deeds of mine are so great that the mother of my Lord should come to me? By what justice, by what good works, by what fidelity of mind have I merited this, that the mother of the Lord should come to me?” “For behold, as your greeting sounded in my ears, the infant leapt for joy in my womb.” The soul of the blessed John was holy. While he was still enclosed in his mother’s womb and still to come into the world, he recognized the one whom Israel did not know. Hence “he leapt”—and he did not simply leap, but he leapt “for joy.” For he had perceived that his Lord had come to sanctify his servant before he went forth from his mother’s womb. I hope that unbelievers might call me stupid because I have believed such things. The deed itself, and the truth, show that I have put my trust not in stupidity but in wisdom, because this, which they consider stupid, is the occasion of my salvation.

For, unless the Savior’s birth had been heavenly and blessed, unless it had had something of the divine that surpassed human nature, his teaching would never have spread to the whole world. If only a man had been in Mary’s womb and not the Son of God, how could it happen—both at that time and now—that many diseases are cured, not only of bodies but also of souls? Who of us was not once foolish? Now, because of God’s mercy, we have understanding, and we know God. Who of us believed in justice? Now, because of Christ, we possess justice and follow it. Who of us was not wandering aimlessly, and vacillating? Now, because of the Savior’s coming, we are not tossed about by the waves or agitated. We are on our way—that is, we are in him who says, “I am the Way.”

Origen, Homilies on Luke 7.5–6

Patristic Wisdom: Looking to the Third Sunday of Advent

Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ” And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Luke 7:18–23)

Having therefore taken from the inspired Scripture the name of “He that comes,” the divine Baptist sent certain of his friends to ask, “if He were He that comes.” And what follows? Inasmuch as Christ by nature and in truth is God, the purpose of John did not escape Him, but as well knowing the cause of his disciples’ coming, He especially at that particular time began accomplishing divine miracles many times more numerous than those which He had hitherto wrought. For so the wise Evangelist has told us, saying, “In that same hour He healed many of sicknesses and of scourges, and of evil spirits: and gave sight to many that were blind.” Having then been made spectators and eyewitnesses of His greatness, and gathered into them a great admiration of His power and ability, they bring forward the question, and beg in John’s name to be informed, whether He is He Who comes. Here see I pray the beautiful art of the Savior’s management. For He does not simply say, I am; though had He so spoken, it would have been true: but He rather leads them to the proof given by the works themselves, in order that having accepted faith in Him on good grounds, and being furnished with knowledge from what had been done, they might so return to him who sent them. “For go, He says, tell John the things that ye have seen and heard.” For you have heard indeed, He says, that I have raised the dead by the all-powerful word, and by the touch of the hand: you have seen also, while you yourselves stood by, that those things that were spoken of old time by the holy prophets are accomplished: the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the dumb hear, and the dead arise, and the poor are preached unto. All these things the blessed prophets had before announced, as about in due time to be wrought by My hands. If then I bring to pass those things that were prophesied long before, and you are yourselves spectators of them, return and tell those things which you have seen with your own eyes accomplished by My might and ability, and which at various times the blessed prophets foretold.

Cyril of Alexandria, Commentary on Luke 37

Patristic Wisdom: Looking to the Second Sunday of Advent

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying:

The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough ways smooth;
And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:1–9)

So John speaks the following words to the crowds that are going out to the baptismal washing—they have not gone out, but are only striving to go out. For, if they had already gone out, he would never call them “brood of vipers.” So, whatever he says to them, he also says to you, men and women, catechumens! You are arranging to come to Baptism. Take heed, lest perhaps it can be said to you, “Brood of vipers.” For, if you have any similarity to sensual vipers and invisible serpents, “brood of vipers” will also be said to you. Unless you expel wickedness and the serpent’s venom from your hearts, the words that follow will also be said to you: “Who showed you how to flee from the wrath to come?”

Great wrath threatens this age. The entire world is going to suffer God’s wrath. The wrath of God will overturn the great expanse of the heavens, and the breadth of the earth, and the choruses of the stars, and the splendor of the sun, and the nocturnal consolations of the moon. On account of men’s sins, all of these things will pass away. Once, indeed, God’s wrath fell upon the earth alone, “because all flesh had left its life upon the earth.” [Gen 6:12] But now the wrath of God is going to come both upon the heavens and upon the earth. “The heavens will pass away, but you will abide,” Scripture says to God, “and all the heavens will grow old like a garment.” See what sort of wrath it is, and how great. It will consume the entire world and punish those who deserve punishment. And this wrath will find an object on which to exercise itself. Each of us has prepared an object for wrath by what he has done. The Epistle to the Romans reads, “For, according to your hardness and your impatient heart, you pile up for yourself wrath on the day of wrath and the revelation of God’s just judgment.”

Then there follows, “Who showed you how to flee from the wrath to come? Produce fruits worthy of repentance.” To you, who are coming to Baptism, Scripture says, “Produce fruits worthy of repentance.” Do you want to know which fruits are worthy of repentance? “Charity is a fruit of the Spirit; joy is a fruit of the Spirit; so are peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, continence,” and the others of this sort. If we have all of these virtues, we have produced “fruits worthy of repentance.” Again it is said to those who were coming to John’s baptism, “And do not begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for a father.’ For, I say to you, God can raise up sons for Abraham from these stones.” John, the last of the prophets, prophesies the expulsion of the first nation and the call of the Gentiles. To those who were boasting about Abraham he says, “And do not begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for a father.’ ” And again he speaks about the Gentiles, “For I say to you, that God can raise up sons for Abraham from these stones.”

Origen, Homilies on Luke 22.6–8