Fourth century church father Gregory of Nazianzus wrote, "God became human and poor for our sake, to raise up our flesh, to recover our divine image, to recreate humanity. We no longer observe distinctions arriving from the flesh, but are to bear within ourselves only the seal of God, by whom and for whom we were created. We are to be so formed and molded by Jesus that we are recognized as belonging to his one family. If we could only be what we hope to be, by the kindness of our generous God!"
The incarnation shows us that we are not "only human," but that we were created to be "fully human," reflecting the image of God. Sin makes us less than human, less than we were created to be. As you continue to reflect on the coming of Christ this week, may you also embrace the opportunity to open yourself to opportunities to grow even more into the image of God in 2012!
