Слово в день Рождества Христова. Блаженного Августина, епископа Иппонийского

We have now heard in the Gospel an angelic voice, announcing to the shepherds that Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin: glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. A solemn voice and greeting not only to the wife who gave birth to a child, but to the entire human race, for whom the Virgin gave birth to the Savior! For it was worthy and completely fitting that the birth of She who gave birth to the Lord of heaven and earth, and remained immaculate at birth, should be glorified not by women with an ordinary holiday, but by Angels with divine praises. Let us also say, raising as much as possible the voice of joy, let us say, not to the shepherds of the wordless flock proclaiming the Begotten One, but celebrating His Nativity with His own sheep - let us say, I say, with reverence and from a faithful heart: glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men! May these divine words, this glorification of God, this angelic joy be, as much as possible, intelligible to us, may they be the subject of reflection of our faith, hope and love. For, as we believe, hope and desire, we too will become glory in the highest to God, when, after the resurrection, in a spiritual body, we will be caught up in the clouds to meet Christ, if only, while living on earth, we maintain peace and goodwill. True life is in the highest, where is the land of the living; there are good days, where the Lord is always the same, and His years will not become scarce. But even though you love your life, do you see good things? keep your tongue from evil, and do not speak flattery with your lips. Avoid evil and do good, and thus preserve goodwill; seek peace, and marry (Ps. 33:13-15): for on earth there is peace, good will toward men. If you say, man: I strive to do what I want, but I do not find it to do good; If you delight in the law of God according to your inner man, but you see another law in your hearts, warring against the law of your mind, and they take you captive with the law of sin, drying you out in your hearts: then be strong in your good will, and exclaim what follows: I am a wretched man! who will deliver me from the body of this death? The grace of God, Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 7:18, 22–25). For He Himself is peace on earth, good will toward men, the cessation of that warfare in which the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; do whatever you will (Gal. 5:17). For this is our peace, having made both one (Eph. 2:14), so that the good will may be strong against evil lusts, and, being affirmed, ask for the help of the grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Is the law of the flesh fighting against her and already captivating her? let him ask for help, not relying on his own strength, and, realizing his weakness, let him confess. that she needs help. He will not forsake it, Who said to those who believe in Him: If you continue in My word, you will be My disciples truly: and you will understand the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:31, 32). The truth will help and free you from the body of death. For this reason, the Truth, whose birth we now celebrate, rose from the earth (Ps. 84:12), may there be peace on earth, good will to men. The Lord alone can grant us both what we want and what we sow with favor. Everywhere His mercy precedes us: He called us to those who did not want to, and gives us strength to do what we want; Let us say to Him: I swear. and they set up the destinies of Thy righteousness (Ps. 113:106). I set it, and, as You commanded, I promised obedience, since I see another law that is warring against the law of my mind and captivating me by the law of sin that is in my destiny, then I humbled myself to the point: Lord, live me according to Your word (Ps. 119:107). This is what I want: the free will of my lips, O Lord, please; May there be peace on earth and good will to men. Let us say this, or more that will inspire us with piety, imbued with the Holy Scriptures, so that we do not celebrate in vain the day of the Lord born of the Virgin, but, having begun with a good will, we will be completed by perfect love, which is poured into our hearts, not from ourselves, but by the Holy Spirit given to us. Amen 59. In the collection of words, blessed. Augustine this word – 193. See “Sunday Reading.” XI (1847–48), pp. 403–404. You might be interested in: