Saint Athanasius
Coptic Orthodox Church
Through all the indications of reconciliation we find that God is the One who endeavors to make peace with man.
The unapproachable light is seeking peace with the dust and the ashes! The King of kings and Lord of lords is coming forward to make peace with His slaves.
He sent angels to man, and sent messages to him through dreams. He is the One Who returned to man the spirit of prophecy, and worked on returning the relation as it was before. Even in His excess love to man, He sent His Only Begotten Son to save him.
Saint Jacob said, "There was a dispute between God and man. But as man did not come forward to make peace with God, God came down to make peace with man."
This did not happen only on Christmas, but God is persistently trying to make peace with man. He says, "I stand at the door and knock. If any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and dine with him and he with Me" (Rev. 3:20). I wonder: How would You, my Lord, stand at the door and knock? Man is the one that should go to Your door, kneel, kiss Your doorstep, and ask Your acceptance and gratification. But God says 'No, I shall go to them. I am not looking for My honor or dignity, but rather, their salvation. I will not rest until I am certain of their redemption.'
Truly, how great is the loving heart of God, and how great is His humility. God sends the prophets and the apostles to reconcile Him with man. Saint Paul confirms this when he said, "Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us, we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:20).
Was there any other task of the prophets except the reconciliation between God and man? It is God Who wanted the peace and sent the prophets! How great He is and His attempt to make peace. he says "All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people" (Romans 10:21).
The Lord is still stretching His hands out, asking for peace with us, saying, "Come now, and let us reason together" (Isaiah 1:18).
God is the One Who made peace with Jonah when he was exceedingly displeased. He prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, so its shade may deliver him from his misery. He started the conversation and asked, "Is it right for you to be angry?" Then He explained everything to him.
He was not upset when the Samaritan woman refused to give him water because He was a Jew. He did not get angry nor command fire to come down from heaven and consume her, as the two disciples had suggested. Out of His love He made peace with her. This led her to testify for Him.
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