Alcuin Study Center

Alcuin Study Center exists to cultivate the fully human life by exploring the ligaments that hold every aspect of life together—faith & reason, body & mind, science & poetry, work & play, church & the academy, God & man, Christ & culture.

12/11/2025

Advent, Day 8: Saint Ambrose

Come, Thou Redeemer of the earth,
And manifest Thy virgin birth:
Let every age adoring fall;
Such birth befits the God of all.

Begotten of no human will,
But of the Spirit, Thou art still
The Word of God in flesh arrayed
The promised Fruit to man displayed.

The virgin womb that burden gained
With virgin honor all unstained;
The banners there of virtue glow;
God in His temple dwells below.

Forth from His chamber goeth He,
That royal home of purity,
A giant in twofold substance one,
Rejoicing now His course to run.

From God the Father He proceeds,
To God the Father back He speeds;
His course He runs to death and hell,
Returning on God’s throne to dwell.

O equal to the Father, Thou!
Gird on Thy fleshly mantle now;
The weakness of our mortal state
With deathless might invigorate.

Thy cradle here shall glitter bright,
And darkness breathe a newer light,
Where endless faith shall shine serene,
And twilight never intervene.

O Jesu, Virgin-born, to thee
Eternal praise and glory be,
Whom with the Father we adore
And Holy Spirit, evermore.
~ St. Ambrose

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In Christ you have everything you need: If you are burning with fever, He is the fountain that will refresh you; If you feel down, oppressed by your faults, He is the deliverance. If you feel weak and in need of help, He is the strength. If you are afraid of death, He is the Life. If you desire heaven, He is the Way. If you wish to escape the darkness, He is the Light. If you are hungry, in need of nourishment, He is Food.
~ St Ambrose

———-

St. Ambrose was a 4th-century Roman governor and the Bishop of Milan, who became one of the four original Doctors of the Church. He is known for influencing and baptizing St. Augustine of Hippo, and asserting the Church’s independence from the state. He was a powerful preacher and writer who was also known for his generosity, donating his wealth to the poor. His feast day is December 7th.