The Nativity Message of Archimandrite Jeremy (Davis)
The Nativity of Christ, 2025
The womb of your mother overturned the order of things: The establisher of all entered rich and emerged poor. He entered lofty and emerged humble. He entered radiant and emerged with a despised hue. He entered as a mighty warrior and put on
fear inside her womb. He entered as the nourisher of all and acquired hunger. He entered as the drink-giver to all and acquired thirst. Stripped and laid bare, He emerged from her womb as the one who clothes us all.
- St. Ephraim the Syrian, Hymns on the Nativity 11
Beloved Clergy and Faithful of the Midwest,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who was born in a cave for our salvation!
At Christ’s holy Nativity, 2000 years ago, He gave the ultimate example of humble love, “who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but
emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6– 7, RSV). He did this in order to meet us in our weakness and sinful wretchedness, so that He might
draw us back to Himself and raise us up to His sublimity.
His example is a challenge to each of us. If the Son of God could humble Himself in this way for our sakes, ought we not to humble ourselves in order to be reconciled with those estranged from us,
regardless of who is at fault. “For he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 John 4:20). Therefore, may this holy Nativity season inspire us to
humble ourselves and reconcile with one another. Has anyone wronged us? Let us let abandon the lofty perch of wounded dignity and forgive them. Have we wronged anyone? Let us abandon the
pretense of blamelessness and admit our fault.
By His holy Nativity, Christ bowed the heavens in order to be with us. Let us embrace humility that we might be united in Him.
Wishing you all a joyous feast, I remain,
Yours in the Service of Christ,
Archimandrite Jeremy
Archiepiscopal Vicar