Слово на Рождество Господа нашего Иисуса Христа. Евсевия, епископа Александрийского (IV в.)

The Lord Jesus Christ greatly loved the human race from the beginning, and had great providence for us; however, no one kept the law. He sent prophets, but our fathers did not listen to the prophets and stoned some, killed others, but did not listen to a single one. Therefore, the prophets that the destruction of people was coming, began to pray to the Lord Himself to descend and save the human race. And first of all, David said in prayer: “Lord, bow down the heavens and come down (Ps. 143:5). If you do not come down and heal the suffering of people, no one will be able to be saved; come, Lord, and save us!” Likewise, all the prophets prayed for the coming of the Lord; and He, being moved with compassion, heard the prayers of the prophets, and descended to earth. And why did the Lord become a man and defeat the devil, listen. Since the devil in paradise with crafty speeches deceived Adam through a wife, therefore the Lord settled and became incarnate in the Virgin and passed as he wished, in order, first of all, to free Eve from the oath and deliver the entire race of women from crime: for if He had not been born of the Virgin, then the race of women would not have been honored. When the Lord was born of a Virgin, the Persians, who had previously lived depravedly with their mothers, now retain their virginity. Since Jesus Christ, the unfading rose, came from the Virgin, virginity has received a blessing.... But here is another reason. If the Lord had not become incarnate from the Virgin and had not hidden the Divinity with flesh, then the universe would not have survived the contemplation of the radiance of the Divine. Likewise, if He had not become incarnate, how would the Magi have touched Him and brought Him gifts? If He had not taken on flesh, how could a harlot dare to kiss the feet of Him Whom the heavens cannot contain? Or how could Zacchaeus receive Him into his home, subdue the passion of predation and show sinners what the hope of salvation is?