ACC ~ Luke 1 v5 - 2 v52

OVERVIEW:

The infancy narrative receives great attention among the church fathers, particularly as a source for the defense of the incarnation. The historical events bear witness that the Holy Spirit has brought about the miraculous birth of Jesus (CYRIL OF JERUSALEM).

THE PURE AND UNDEFILED BIRTH OF JESUS

CYRIL OF JERUSALEM: Let us remember these things, brothers, and use them as weapons of defense. Let us not endure the heretics who teach that Christ’s coming was in appearance only. Let us shun as well those who say that the birth of the Savior was from a man and a woman, daring to assert that he was begotten of Joseph and Mary, because it is written, “He took his wife.” [1] Let us recall Jacob, who, before he received Rachel, said to Laban, “Give me my wife.” [2] Just as Rachel was called the wife of Jacob before marriage, as a result of her betrothal Mary also was called the wife of Joseph. Note the exactness of the Gospel when it says, “Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,” and what follows. Again, when the enrolling took place and Joseph went up to be enrolled, what does the Scripture say? “And Joseph also went up from Galilee … to register together with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.” Though she was with child, it does not say “with his wife” but “with his espoused wife.” “God sent his Son,” Paul says, not born of a man and a woman but “born of a woman” [3] only; that is, born of a virgin. We have already shown that a virgin is also called a woman. For he who makes virgin souls was born of a virgin. CATECHETICAL LECTURES 12.31. [4]

[1] Mt 1:24.

[2] Gen 29:21.

[3] Gal 4:4.

[4] FC 61:246-47**.