He who is becomes. The uncreated lets himself be created. He whom nothing can contain is contained in the womb of a thinking soul who stands midway between divinity and the heavy and brittle flesh.  He who is the giver of riches becomes a beggar.  He begs for my flesh to enrich me with his divinity.  He who is fullness empties himself.  … Now he comes to have a share in that which is weakest. (From a treatise by Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop of Constantinople, 389, found in Readings for the Daily Office from the Early Church, pp. 38-39)

St. Gregory ‘s writing on the miracle of the incarnation is a good reminder to turn all things over to the One who loves us perfectly.  We are called to the heart of the Almighty through an act of perfect love.

It is natural for me to wonder, Am I ready? Am I ready for Advent, for Christmas, for the next thing to which God is calling me?  These days of Christmastide are good days to practice breathing in and out very slowly, to practice letting go.  Advent has come and gone, and I am still here.  Each day is new and holds great promise if I relax and open to whatever the living Christ might have in store. He knows my frailties and shortcomings. And I have learned that is where I can be certain to meet him.

Gregory reminds us that we are created by God in God’s image.  Had the Holy One not breathed his own breath into us, we would remain lifeless lumps of clay.  Today is a good day to practice trusting that God continues to breathe new life into us.  Trust that the One who let himself be created continues to empty himself so that we might share in his fullness.