Archives by: Gary Hoag

Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:6-7

“Since he is emptied on our account when he came down, he is for this reason, able to be received.”

Gregory of Nazianzus (c. 329-389) One of the Four Doctors of the Eastern Church, Archbishop of Constantinople. Oration 37.2. SC 318:276. ACCS.P.233.

“He was a baby and a child, so that you may be a perfect human. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, so that you may be freed from the snares of death (Psalm 18:4). He was in a manger, so that you may be in the altar. He was on earth that you may be in the stars. He had no other place in the inn, so that you may have many mansions in the heavens (John 14:2). He, being rich, became poor for your sakes, that through his poverty you might become rich (Ephesians 2:6). Therefore his poverty is our inheritance, and the Lord’s weakness is our virtue. He chose to lack for himself, that he may abound for all.”

Ambrose (c. 337-397) One of the Four Doctors of the Western Church, Bishop of Milan. Exposition of the Gospel of Luke 2:41-42. EHG 52-53. ACCS.L.38.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

“Were she not a virgin, the birth would not have been a sign. A sign is something that differs from the normal way things happen, that is outside the natural manner. A sign is so unusual and unexpected that someone who sees it or hears of it sees that it is out of the ordinary. It is called a “sign” because it is significant. Were the birth to be like normal births, it would not have been significant.”

John Chrysostom (349-407) was one of the Four Doctors of the Eastern Church and Archbishop of Constantinople. Commentary on Isaiah 7.5. SC 304:314. ACCS.I 64.

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the needy from the dunghill. Psalm 113:7

“He [Jesus] is not born in the midst of gold and riches, but in the midst of dung, in a stable where our sins were filthier than the dung. He is born on a dunghill in order to lift up those who come from it: From the dunghill he lifts up the poor.”

Jerome (347-420) was one of the Four Doctors of the Western Church and translator of the Latin Vulgate. This excerpt from On the Nativity of the LORD. FC 57:221. ACCS.L.39.

“Generosity is not just what I give, share or do, but it is who I am in Christ; it’s a lifestyle.”

Dr. Lee Solomon in “Generosity: A Lifestyle” in The Table, Fall 2010 issue entitled: “Generosity.” Produced by Ashland Theological Seminary.

“Mother Teresa taught me to see Jesus in others and to give them his love. My actions are motivated out of love for God. It is giving the grace of Jesus. This is developing a giving spirit. It is loving others and doing small acts of generosity for them every day.

Mother Teresa writes, “We feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean, but that ocean would be less without that drop.”

Mother Teresa’s example teaches that a generous spirit is to offer our resources, time, and talents for the good of others. It is giving ourselves to others in the service of Jesus. It is love in action for Jesus, enacting the command “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22:39).”

JoAnn Ford Watson in Developing a Generous Spirit: The Grace of Giving. Cf. Mother Teresa, A Simple Path (New York: Ballantine Books, 1995) 115, as retold in in The Table, Fall 2010 issue entitled: “Generosity.” Produced by Ashland Theological Seminary.

“If we are filled with gratitude, compassion, grace, mercy and attentiveness to the Spirit (if we are like Christ), we will be generous.”

John Shultz in the Letter from the President in The Table, Fall 2010 issue entitled “Generosity.” Produced by Ashland Theological Seminary.

“We say that God is a fountain because he fills the thirsty and the empty.”

Cassiodorus (490-585), Roman Historian, Statesman, Monk, Exposition of the Psalms 35.10. CCL 97:322. ACCS.I.114.

“Spiritual emptiness cannot be filled with material things.”

Charles Wehrley, C.Ss.R. The Redemptorists of the Denver Province, Your Daily Spiritual Reflection – December 16, 2010.

“All Scripture is divided into two Testaments. What preceded the advent and passion of Christ–that is, the law and the prophets–is called the Old [Testament]; but what was written after his resurrection is named the New Testament. The Jews made use of the Old, we of the New. Yet, they are not dissonant. The New Testament is the fulfilling of the Old, and in both there is the same testator, even Christ who suffered death for us and made us heirs of his everlasting kingdom…

When, therefore, we who were in time past as it were blind, and as it were shut up in the prison of folly, were sitting in darkness ignorant of God and of the truth, we have been enlightened by him, who adopted us by his testament; and having freed us from cruel chains, and brought us out to the light of wisdom, he admitted us to the inheritance of his heavenly kingdom.”

Lactantius (c. 260-c. 330) Christian apologist in Divine Institutes 4.20. ANF 7:122-23. ACCS.H 129.