This post is the third in a series of twelve December recommendations drawn from biblical studies and twentieth-century fiction. Each day’s pick is something I enjoy that relates to Christmas and that I think others will find helpful or interesting.

The Third Read of Christmas

Oration 38 by Gregory Nazianzus

Gregory Nazianzus, known also as Gregory the Theologian, is a church father from Cappadocia who lived in the fourth century. In addition to making important contributions towards the church’s understanding of the Trinity, he left behind dozens of sermons, several hundred letters, and thousands of lines of poetry that we still have today.

I’m highlighting a specific writing of his known as Oration 38: “On the Theophany, or Birthday of Christ.” In it, he encourages his audience to celebrate and reflect on the birth of Jesus.

At the end of his message, Gregory begins with the beginning of Jesus’ life and identifies events from which Christians can make application.

One thing connected with the Birth of Christ I would have you hate … the murder of the infants by Herod. Or rather you must venerate this too, the Sacrifice of the same age as Christ, slain before the Offering of the New Victim. If He flees into Egypt, joyfully become a companion of His exile. It is a grand thing to share the exile of the persecuted Christ. If He tarry long in Egypt, call Him out of Egypt by a reverent worship of Him there. Travel without fault through every stage and faculty of the Life of Christ. Be purified; be circumcised; strip off the veil which has covered thee from thy birth. After this teach in the Temple, and drive out the sacrilegious traders. Submit to be stoned if need be, for well I wot thou shalt be hidden from those who cast the stones; thou shalt escape even through the midst of them, like God. If thou be brought before Herod, answer not for the most part. He will respect thy silence more than most people’s long speeches. If thou be scourged, ask for what they leave out. Taste gall for the taste’s sake; drink vinegar; seek for spittings; accept blows, be crowned with thorns, that is, with the hardness of the godly life; put on the purple robe, take the reed in hand, and receive mock worship from those who mock at the truth; lastly, be crucified with Him, and share His Death and Burial gladly, that thou mayest rise with Him, and be glorified with Him and reign with Him. Look at and be looked at by the Great God, Who in Trinity is worshipped and glorified, and Whom we declare to be now set forth as clearly before you as the chains of our flesh allow, in Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom be the glory for ever. Amen.

I appreciate Gregory’s reminder that although Christmas is a time of happiness and celebration, Christians may experience suffering as they follow Jesus as His disciples. Yet, we can take joy in our union with Christ and the hope of a resurrection and eternity with Him. 

The whole oration is worth reading, and you can read it for free here.

For an introduction to his life and collection of Gregory’s writings that includes a newer translation of Oration 38, check out Gregory of Nazianzus by Brian Daley.