He who would be born of God must be mindful of how Christ’s birth took place. All birth from God happens as it did with Christ. When the Word is heard and when it is received, then faith is sealed with the Holy Spirit. This spirit renews every person and makes us alive in God’s justice. We become a new creature, a new creation.

- Eberhard Arnold

Through Mary’s simple faith she received the spirit and thus conceived Christ, and he was born of her. Those who want to be reborn must, like Mary, first hear the Word and then believe it. And then, in the humility of Jesus and of Mary, we must learn to occupy the most modest human place in loving, devoted, long-suffering and in the freedom of joy.

- Eberhard Arnold

The light of Christ’s coming and of his future becomes especially evident by way of contrast with the dark state of the present world. Such contrast brings the nearness of Christ’s coming: The light shines into the darkness, which does not receive it; yet neither can the darkness overcome the light.

- Eberhard Arnold