After the long centuries of dreadful night,
the eternal day, our Christ, shone forth.
The world had long awaited the splendor of his dawning.

 
St. Peter Chrysologus, 5th century

Christ came forth from the womb
as the light of the whole world,
in order to shine on all.

 
St. Ambrose, 4th century

From Bethlehem
comes the light that will illumine the world.

 
St. Luigi Guanella, 20th century

God becoming man is the great message of his love.
In it, we humans see God’s face.

 
St. Hildegard of Bingen, 12th century

O sweet child of Bethlehem, grant that we
may share in this profound mystery of Christmas.

 
Bl. John XXIII, 20th century

Unless in humility Christ had come down to us,
none of us, by our own merits,
could ever go up to him.

 
St. Leo the Great, 5th century

You poured out, O Father,
the tenderness of your love upon us;
you could no longer contain the multitude of your mercies.

 
Amadeus of Lausanne, 12th century

God himself descended
to be near those who are saddened,
to be with us in our tribulation.

 
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th century