Saint Who?
Saints Who Exemplify Devotion
to the Christ Child
Saint John Chrysostom
Bishop and Doctor († 407) Feast: September 13
“Since therefore all rejoice, I too desire to rejoice…holding in my arms the cradle of Christ. For this is all my hope, this my life, this my salvation.” John was born in Syria. His father died when he was little, and John was raised by his pious and intelligent mother. After his ordination to the priesthood, he spent twelve years preaching in Antioch, earning his surname, which means “golden-mouthed,” from his admiring congregation.
John preached some of the earliest recorded Christmas homilies. He saw the mystery of the Passion tied to that of the Incarnation, for “the fact that Christ, who became man, also died was a consequence of his birth.” He powerfully exhorted the faithful to come to Christmas Mass: “Let each of us leave his house empty so that we may see our master wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger…. For the table of this altar takes the place of the manger.” He invited his hearers to prepare for this encounter by “repenting, praying, giving alms, and devoting your efforts to things of the spirit.”
After John became Archbishop of Constantinople, he gained the enmity of the Byzantine empress, who took offense at his preaching against worldliness. She connived to have John exiled, and he died of harsh treatment. His final words: “Glory be to God for all things.”
Infant Word Incarnate, help us set aside earthly care as we prepare to receive you at Christmas.
