At the Incarnation, God became fully man while remaining fully divine. Without sexual relations (Mt 1:20, 25), Mary, God's mother, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. A star (Mt 2:2) and choirs of angels (Lk 2:13) announced Jesus' birth. Jesus' Incarnation was a greater event than the astounding release of the Israelites from their exile in Babylon, and the release from Babylon was greater than the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt (Jer 23:7-8). Thus the Incarnation was greater than both of these awesome events.
The Incarnation was the turning point in human history. In fact, we date human history as before the Incarnation (B.C.) and after it (A.D.). We pray about the Incarnation in the Creed, the "Hail Mary," the "Angelus," and the first joyful mystery of the rosary. We celebrate the Incarnation on March 25th, the feast of the Annunciation, and at every Christmas season.
We are called to be incarnational in our history, prayer, and celebrations. We are called to be Christmas Christians intensely and always. Praise Jesus, God made man, the Word made flesh!
| PRAYER: | Father, make me a Christmas Christian. |
| PROMISE: | "She is to have a Son and you are to name Him Jesus because He will save His people from their sins." –Mt 1:21 |
| PRAISE: | "O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, Who showed Yourself to Moses in the burning bush, Who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out Your mighty hand to set us free." |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College