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
March 26,2025
- Eberhard Arnold From a letter, July 1922Our inner fire, yes, even our enthusiasm, our inspiration, and soul, and Eros—everything that is fire and love—must flow together with the one great light, with the holy Agape, with the heart of God, with Jesus Christ; and being born out of Him, it must gain new life in purity and power. It is quite clear that this means that everything which is greed, desire for possession, despotism, the demand of the individual, is consumed and completely spent in this sun fire. The one—the old world with its greed for possession—perishes, and the other—the new creation with its divine life that dedicates, embraces, and pours itself out in joy—is born.
Get Daily Inspiration straight to your Inbox
More Inspiration
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
In Christ – and particularly the Christ child – all human pride was cast down, and all degradation was raised up. Mary and Elizabeth had already recognized this in their songs of praise before the birth of Jesus. And why? Because the love of God cannot be revealed in any other way. When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the early Christians, no one was able to keep his possessions to himself anymore.They surrendered everything – just as Jesus did at his birth.
- Eberhard Arnold