The Inspired Word of God from the Apostle Paul: Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2:6-8

Christ. Fully god and fully man. The God who came. And when He came no one knew who He was.

Augustine summed up the incarnation of Christ this way: “The Maker of man became Man so that He, the Ruler of the stars, might be nourished at the breast. That He, the Bread, might be hungry. That He, the Fountain, might thirst. That He, the Light, might sleep. That He, the Way, might be wearied by the journey. That He, the Truth, might be accused by false witnesses. That He, the Judge of the living and the dead, might be brought to trial by a corrupt mortal judge. That He, Justice itself, might be condemned by the unjust. That He, Discipline itself, might be scourged with whips. That He, the Vine, might be crowned with thorns. That He, the Foundation, might be suspended upon a cross. That Strength might be weakened, and that He who makes well might be wounded that Life might die. To endure these indignities for us, to free us, unworthy creatures, He who existed as the Son of God before all ages, without a beginning, deigned to become the Son of Man. He did this although He who submitted to such great evils for our sake had done no evil and although we, who were the recipients of so much good at His hands, have done nothing to merit these benefits”. Adapted, Augustine (354 – 430), Sermon 191, For The Feast Of The Nativity.