Christendom College welcomed renowned author, speaker, and podcast host Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., back to campus to deliver a keynote address titled “The Incarnation (Might Not Have) Happened” at the college’s annual Christmas at Christendom event, one of the college’s largest benefactor gatherings of the year.
“During this Advent season, as we prepare for Christmas, I think it’s helpful to meditate on the fact that the Incarnation might not have happened in the sense that God, in His infinite loving kindness, doesn’t owe us the Incarnation,” said Fr. Pine, reflecting on the significance of the Incarnation as a tremendous gift from God. “And even as God sees fit to save us from the calamity into which we threw ourselves headlong, He could have liberated us from that calamity in whatsoever means he saw fit to employ. God can save us in whatsoever way he deems fit. But the fact that He chose to save us in this precise way is indicative.”
Christmas at Christendom is the college’s annual special benefactor event, with the college welcoming benefactors to campus to experience the life of the college, meet students, and enjoy talks by keynote speakers. Members of the President’s Council and Christendom’s Legacy Society enjoyed lunch with senior students, a talk by philosophy professor Dr. John Cuddeback, and an interview with President George A. Harne, Ph.D., followed by Mass and carols in Christ the King Chapel, a cocktail hour, and Fr. Pine’s keynote address over dinner.
Throughout his talk, Fr. Pine drew upon the writings of G.K. Chesterton, St. Augustine, and St. Thomas Aquinas, using their insights to highlight the wonder and mystery of the Incarnation.
“The extraordinary fact of the Incarnation ought ultimately to direct our attention to the ordinary facts which are in a certain sense just as marvelous,” said Fr. Pine, who previously hosted a Day of Recollection at the college back in November.
Fr. Pine further reflected on the beautiful proof that the Incarnation gives of the love of God and His incredible generosity, emphasizing the comfort that He provides throughout the struggles of life.
“Though there are times in our lives when we experience some measure of sadness, some measure of difficulty because life proves hard and it proves lonely and we don’t have control over many of its factors, at least not directly,” said Fr. Pine. “Yet we return to the marvelous fact. The marvelous fact that God is at work. That God is furnishing us with the gift of our lives, with the gift of His life. That it’s all shot through with His generosity.”
He concluded his address by connecting the powerful truth of the Incarnation to Christendom’s mission of Catholic education.
“Part of the work of Christian conversion, and part of the work of a Christian education, is a kind of work of displacement whereby we learn gradually, slowly, often painstakingly that we are not at the center of the world,” said Fr. Pine. “And the little efforts that we make to displace ourselves from said center create space in which God can occupy that place. In effect, the effort is for the sake of worship. And if our life becomes an extended refrain of simply referring ourselves to Him, it will have been enough because that’s His gift.”
Christmas at Christendom is one of several benefactor-focused events held annually at the college’s Front Royal, Virginia, campus. Other opportunities include the college’s Summer Conference and additional lectures and special gatherings. More information about the President’s Council and Legacy Society is available at christendom.edu.
Contributed by Bridget Palm ’28.