St. Ephraim the Syrian: A new miracle in man

 God performed a new miracle in man, great for us and for all creation. For He made our body a temple, and filled it with that which is venerated by all.

Come, O earthly and heavenly beings, wonder and be amazed at this great bestowal of dignity, for our race has been lifted to the immeasurable height of the Divinity.

+St. Ephraim the Syrian, quoted by St. Theophan the Recluse in A Spiritual Psalter: or Reflections on God, psalm 44.

St. Ephraim the Syrian: On our proper response to the Incarnation

 Now the day of mercy has shown forth! Let no one persecute his neighbor with revenge for the wrong he has caused him! The day of joy has arrived! Let no one be guilty of causing sorrow and grief to another person. This is a cloudless and bright day! 

Let anger be stilled for it disturbs peace and tranquility. This is the day in which God descended to sinners! Let the righteous man be ashamed to exalt himself over sinners. This is the day when the Lord of creation came to servants! Let the master of the house humble himself in similar love to his servants. This is the day on which the Wealthy One became poor for our sake! Let not the rich be ashamed to share their table with the poor.

+St. Ephraim the Syrian, from A Spiritual Psalter

St. Ephraim the Syrian: Thou didst come for our Redemption

May Thy compassion be praised, O Christ our King, O Son of God worshiped by all! Thou art our King, Thou art our God, Thou art the author of our life and our great hope.
With one soul do both the heavenly hosts and the ranks below praise Thee and sing unto Thee a song of thanks, for Thou Who wast concealed hast in the last days appeared in the flesh of us mortals.
When Thy compassion was aroused and when it pleased Thy love to do so, Thou didst come for our redemption and liberate our race.
Thou didst cure our afflictions, cleanse our sins and, according to Thy compassion, Thou didst raise those who were dead.
Thou didst establish on earth the holy Church in the image of the heavenly kingdom: Thou didst build her with love, establish her with compassion, and Thou didst spiritually betroth Thyself to her, and gain her by Thy suffering.
+St. Ephraim the Syrian, quoted by St. Theophan the Recluse in A Spiritual Psalter: or Reflections on God, psalm 86.

I will make Him my firstborn...

He shall call upon Me and shall say: My Father art Thou, my God, and the helper of my salvation.
And as for Me, I will make him My firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.
For ever shall I keep for him My mercy, and My covenant shall be faithful unto him.
And I will establish his seed unto ages of ages, and his throne shall be as the days of heaven.
+Prophet David, from The Psalter According to the Seventy, psalm 88.