Into This World He Came To Save Sinners

But He, who for us is life, descended here and endured our death, and slew it out of the abundance of His own life. And, thundering, he called loudly to us to return from here to Him, into that secret place from which He came for to us. First He came into the virgin’s womb, where to Him was married our humanity – our mortal flesh that it might not be forever mortal. From there He came forth “as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, rejoicing as a strong man to run a race.” For He tarried not, but ran, calling out to us in words, deeds, death, life, descent, ascension – calling out to us to return to Him. And he departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here. He would not be with us for long, yet He left us not. He has gone to the place which He never left, “for the world was made by Him.” And in this world He was. Into this world He came to save sinners.

Augustine, Confessions, Book IV, chapter 12.