THE GRACE OF CHRISTMAS

For my sake He was born of the Virgin Mary, He who is born of the Father before all time.

For my sake He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, He who covers heaven with the clouds and vests Himself with robes of light.

For my sake He was placed in a lowly manger, He Whose throne is the heavens Whose feet rest upon earth.

For my sake He was fed with His Mother’s milk, He Who feeds all creatures.

For my sake He was held in His Mother’s arms, He Who is borne by the cherubim and holds all creatures in His embrace.

For my sake He was circumcised according to the Law, He who is maker of the Law.

For my sake, He who is unseen became visible and lived among us, He Who is my God…

O Son of God Who ceased not dwell in His Father’s bosom! What did You behold in me of merit? Why did You come to seek me in this vale of tears? Shepherds search for their lost sheep, but for their own profit. Men seek lost property, but out of self-interest.

Travelers visit foreign countries, but for their own benefit. Kings offer ransoms for prisoners, but they pay it in gold and silver through their ambassadors, and largely for their own gain.

But You, what was it that You found in me, my Lord?

What use, what interest, what good did You behold in me that You came to seek me?

And it was the King of Heaven and Earth Himself Who came, not His ambassadors.

God Himself came to find and to ransom His servant, not with gold and silver but with His Precious Blood.

St. Tychon