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simply as a baby, but see in our poverty the one who, as God, is rich. For
this reason he is glorified even by the holy angels themselves.❧
* From Saint Cyril.❧
80 For angels and all the highest powers have peace with God, who preserved for them
their appointed order, yet in no manner do they transgress what he decides but
they are in an established order which accords with justice and holiness. We
wretches, however, have set up our own desires in place of the wishes of the
master and in our own order we have become hostile to him. Yet this has been undone
through Christ, “for he is our peace.” * For he has united us through himself to our
God and Father, taking away from between us the sin which creates hostility and

the Father. For it pleased God the Father to recapitulate all things in him. He has bound
together what is below to what is above, and has proclaimed one flock those who are in heaven
and on the earth. And so Christ has become for us both peace and goodwill.❧
* From Severus, Archbishop of Antioch, from Sermon 36.❧
80 At first what is celebrated through the angels is hidden from the shepherds.
They are the type of those who would be shepherds of the churches, and very
appropriately. For they should listen to the words “On earth peace” according
to their order, since they would speak of peace to the whole fullness
of the church. The face of the shepherds and the joy which came on them
through the revelation indicates clearly how the Good Shepherd has come
for the sheep that wandered. For he knows that shepherds are never as joyful