St. Augustine on the Birth of Jesus Christ: "He Assumed Our Poverty That We Might Become Rich Through Him"

St. Augustine, the early Church Father, was a brilliant philosopher, theologian and bishop of Hippo [in present day Algeria]. He composed several short sermons on the Birth of Our Lord. Here, Augustine reflects upon the humility and great love that God exhibited for us in sending His only Son to assume our fallen humanity:

"What human being could know all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Christ and concealed under the poverty of His humanity? For, 'being rich, he became poor for our sake that by his poverty we might become rich.' When He assumed our mortality and overcame death, He manifested Himself in poverty, but He promised riches though they might be deferred; He did not lose them as if they were taken from Him. How great is the multitude of His sweetness which He hides from those who fear Him but which He reveals to those that hope in Him!"

― St. Augustine of Hippo, Sermon 194

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Christmas Anticipation Prayer

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, (here mention your request) through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen. [St. Andrew, holy Apostle, pray for us.]