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by Clinton R. Lefort (Author)
He was formed by the Holy Ghost in the Virgin Mother's womb. How do we contemplate so pro-found a Mystery, which we are before? This silent Mystery we are before, the Eternal Word of God can be understood from the reflection of one of the First Century Bishops: Eph. 19.1 (AF-E) if Now the virginity of Mary and her giving birth were hidden from the ruler of this age, as was also the death of the Lord-three mysteries to be loudly proclaimed, yet which were accom-plished in the silence of God. Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians, 19:2] Here St. Ignatius does three things. First, he outlines the profound Mystery of the Word of God when he says, 'the virginity of Mary.' This Mystery of faith from the first century of the Church has relevance for us when we come before the Blessed Eucharist. Secondly, he indicates that not only was Mary a Virgin, but also that it was a great Mystery to the early Christians that 'her giving birth, ' to the Son of God, was deemed a miracle of God. One early poet named Sedulius praised the Virgin Birth in what has become a famous hymn to Christ: