ACC ~ Luke 2 v1 - 5

ALL GREAT FEASTS HAVE THEIR ORIGIN IN JESUS’ NATIVITY

CHRYSOSTOM: A feast day is about to arrive, and it is the most holy and awesome of all feasts. It would be no mistake to call it the chief and mother of all holy days. What feast is that? It is the day of Christ’s birth in the flesh.

It is from this day that the feasts of the theophany, the sacred Pasch [Passover], the ascension and Pentecost had their source and foundation. Had Christ not been born in the flesh, he would not have been baptized, which is the theophany or manifestation. Nor would he have been crucified, which is the Pasch. Nor would he have sent down the Spirit, which is Pentecost. Therefore, just as different rivers arise from a single source, these other feasts have their beginnings in the birth of Christ. ON THE INCOMPREHENSIBLE NATURE OF GOD 6.23-24. [1]

[1] FC 72:174-75*.

THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF THE CENSUS. EUSEBIUS: It was the forty second year of the reign of Augustus and twenty-eight years after the oppression of Egypt and the death of Antony and Cleopatra when Jesus was born in Bethlehem according to the prophecies concerning him. Flavius Josephus mentions this census in the time of Quirinius, adding another account about the sect of Galileans that arose at about the same time. Luke, among our writers, mentions this sect in Acts, saying, “After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census and drew some people after him. He also perished, and all who followed him were scattered.” [1] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 1.5. [2]

[1] Acts 5:37.

[2] FC 19:54-55*.

AUGUSTUS’S TRIUMPH PREFIGURES CHRIST’S TRIUMPH

CASSIA: When Augustus reigned alone upon earth, the many kingdoms of humankind came to end; and when you were made man of the pure Virgin, the many gods of idolatry were destroyed. The cities of the world passed under one single rule; and the nations came to believe in one sovereign Godhead. The peoples were enrolled by the decree of Caesar; and we, the faithful, were enrolled in the name of the Godhead, when you, our God, were made man. Great is your mercy: glory to you! STICHERA OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD. [1]

[1] FM 172.

A TIME OF PEACE FOR JESUS, WHO IS OUR PEACE

BEDE: He chose a time of utmost peace as the time when he would be born because this was the reason for his being born in the world, that he might lead the human race back to the gifts of heavenly peace. And, indeed it is written: “For he is our peace, who has made us both one,” [1] that is, he who as a kind mediator and reconciler has made one house of God of angels and humanity. Jesus was born in a time of peace, so that even by the circumstance of the time he might teach that he was the very one of whom the prophecy sent before him spoke: “His sovereignty will be multiplied, and there will be no end of peace.” [2] HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.6. [3]

[1] Eph 2:14.

[2] Is 9:7.

[3] CS 110:52-54.

BETHLEHEM MEANS “HOUSE OF BREAD

” BEDE: And even to the end of the world the Lord would not cease to be conceived in Nazareth and born in Bethlehem, as often as any one of those who hear him, taking the flour of his Word, make for themselves a house of eternal bread. Daily in the virginal womb, that is, in the souls of the faithful, is he conceived by faith and brought forth by baptism. EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 2.6. [1]

[1] SSGF 1:102-3*.

CHRIST CONCEIVED WITHOUT MAN’S SEED

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The Evangelist says that Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph, to show that the conception had taken place only upon her engagement, and that the birth of the Emmanuel was miraculous, and not in accordance with the laws of nature. For the Virgin did not bear from the emission of man’s seed. And why was this so? Christ, who is the first fruits of all, the second Adam according to the Scriptures, was born of the Spirit, that he might transmit the grace (of the spiritual birth) to us also. For we too were intended no longer to bear the name of sons of men, but rather of God. We have obtained the new birth of the Spirit in Christ first, that he might be “foremost among all,” [1] as Paul declares. And the occasion of the census conveniently caused the virgin to go to Bethlehem, so that we might see another prophecy fulfilled. For it is written, “But you, Bethlehem Ephratha, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel!” [2]

Some argue that if he were brought forth in the flesh, the Virgin was corrupted. If she were not corrupted, then he was brought forth only in appearance. We reply, “the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered in and gone out, and the gate remains closed.” [3] If, moreover, the Word was made flesh without sexual intercourse, being conceived altogether without seed, then he was born without injury to her virginity. COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 1. [4]

[1] Col 1:15.

[2] Mic 5:2.

[3] Ezek 44:2

[4] CGSL 48**.