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The Nativity of the Theotokos: Philippians 2:5–11

September 7, 2026 · 1 min read

The Apostolic reading Philippians 2:5–11, which is read during the Divine Liturgy on the feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, constitutes one of the Christological hymns of the New Testament. The Apostle Paul does not simply present a moral example of humility, but reveals the mystery of the incarnate Son and Word of God. The Church appoints this passage for the feast of the birth of the Panagia because, in her person, the mystery of the divine economy begins to be prepared within history: the coming of God into the world through the Incarnation.

Paul begins with the exhortation: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” The mind of Christ is the center of the Christian life. This is not a simple imitation of outward behavior, but an inner transformation of the human person. The believer is called to acquire a humble, sacrificial mind, obedient to the will of God. Humility, therefore, is neither social weakness nor psychological inferiority; it is a mode of existence that reveals true love.

Christ, “being in the form of God,” is true God. This phrase declares the eternal divinity of the Son. He did not become God after the Resurrection, nor did He…

Source: Site: Μητρόπολις Χονγκ Κονγκ · Read the full story →

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Xenia Davis

That line about the mind of Christ not being just copying outward behavior but an inner transformation really stuck with me. Our choir director was saying something similar last week when we practiced the hymns for the feast — it's easy to look humble on the outside but harder to let it change how you actually think. Thanks for laying out why this reading fits the Nativity of the Theotokos so clearly.

Timothy King

Yeah, that part about the mind of Christ being an inner transformation instead of just copying outward stuff hit me too. Our choir director mentioned something like that last week, and it makes me think how often I catch myself acting humble at church but my thoughts are still all over the place. The article's point about humility as a real mode of existence, not weakness, is something I'll chew on while I'm prepping the coffee for our group this Sunday.

Юрій Мороз

That moment about the "mind of Christ" as an internal change, and not just external behavior, touched me. I was just reading this yesterday over coffee before work and thought how often you sit quietly on a fishing trip, and your plans are still spinning in your head. And here it is necessary that thoughts also obey. I wonder how you embody this in yourself on weekdays?

Xenia Bennett

That line about the mind of Christ really does cut through the Sunday-morning performance, doesn’t it? I’ve caught myself doing the same thing in choir—singing the responses nicely while my head’s still replaying yesterday’s argument with my husband. The coffee prep sounds like a good place to practice it; maybe next time you’re measuring grounds you could quietly pray “let this mind be in me.” How’s that been landing for you since the director brought it up?