Reflections on the Nativity
Introduction
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III presents spiritual meditations on the meaning of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, explaining that God took our nature and blessed it when He became incarnate.
Core idea
The central message is that God “took what is ours and gave us what is His” — that is, He took human nature and elevated it by giving us His Holy Spirit and a future glory.
Holiness of the body and its nature
Christ sanctified the human body when He assumed it; the body is not by nature sinful because God does not create what is wrong, and therefore the body became a temple of the Holy Spirit.
The victorious humanity and the perfection of humanity
In His incarnation, Christ was tempted like us without sin, providing for us the model of victorious humanity and the ideal image of perfection in every stage of life.
Growth in grace and practical holiness
Christ “grew in grace and stature” — not an increase in divinity but the sanctification of each human stage: childhood, youth, adolescence, manhood. This teaches us that holiness is acquired practically.
Christ’s humility and his ministry
Christ’s birth manifested in poverty and humility: He was born in a simple place, lived without title or position, and His greatness came from within, not from outward appearance or power.
Divine dwelling among His people
The name “Emmanuel” expresses that God desires to dwell among His people, and we are called to abide in Him like branches in the vine, He being the head and we the body.
Baptismal effect and the genealogies
The two genealogies in Matthew and Luke show that God descended to man and then raised man in baptism to the point of sonship to God; Christ was not ashamed of our fallen nature but purified and exalted it.
Call to application
The meditation urges us not to despise our human nature, but to acknowledge that it is blessed in Christ, and to strive to abide in Him through love, obedience, and practical spirituality.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
