The Word Made Flesh Shared Fully in our Humanity

As always, the four weeks of the Advent Season will undoubtedly pass quickly. At the First Mass of Advent, Dec. 1, the parish that I was visiting sang, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” for the opening song of Holy Mass. Now, Christmas is upon us where we will sing, “Joy to the World!”

The first sentence from the Book of the prophet Jeremiah on that 1st Sunday of Advent seemed to jump out from the Scriptures, “The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the House of Israel and Judah.” And as we look at the newborn Holy Infant, we recognize the fulfillment of that promise made so many generations ago.

On the 2nd Sunday of Advent, from the prophet Baruk, we are told, “Look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God.” The prophet Zephaniah, on the 3rd Sunday of Advent tells us to “Shout for joy… Sing joyfully… be glad and exalt with all your heart.” And on the 4th Sunday of Advent, the prophet Isaiah gives us the sign that the promise is fulfilled, “The virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”

As we enter the seasons of Advent and Christmas, we are invited to visit the manger scene again and again to look upon the Holy Infant and see in Him the fulfillment of all that was hoped for by the People of Israel—the promised Savior foretold by the many prophets of old! In Jesus, the Word-made-Flesh, we discovered the reason for our “glad tidings.” At the birth of Jesus we are invited to “shout for joy.” In Psalm 98, we have the beautiful imagery, “Let the rivers clap their hands, and the mountains sing together for joy.”

All of creation is renewed by the Incarnation, the Second Person of the Trinity taking on our human flesh. And that great mystery is illustrated in every Manger scene displayed throughout our churches. The Second Person of the Trinity, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, who existed with the Father in all eternity was born in a manger and took on our human flesh. This “Word made flesh” felt the cold and the heat and the pain and hunger of our human condition, sharing fully in our humanity except for sin.

The pivotal, sacred moment of the Incarnation is such a monumental event that the beautiful tradition of the Angelus developed over the centuries to remember it in a prayerful way. In some countries, three Hail Mary’s were prayed at morning, noon, and evening to remember the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ. In its current form and tradition, the Angelus commemorates the “Word-made-Flesh” three times a day. In addition, on the feast of the Annunciation, March 25, and on Christmas Day, when we recite the Creed, we are reminded to not just bow when we refer to the Incarnation, but genuflect at that sacred moment. (Sometimes I forget!)

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
Reciting the Angelus is a beautiful way to live in the spirit of Christmas, not just during the Christmas Season but throughout the year. Could that not be a nice New Year’s resolution, to make the effort to pray the Angelus three times a day? And I’ve spoken before of the tradition of visiting the Manger scene and taking a piece of straw to place it in your wallet or purse. That little piece of straw can remind you of Christmas throughout the year. One of the favorite memories I have of my dad is of him holding me over the communion rail and giving me money to toss to the Holy Infant, a donation for the poor.

During the 12 days of Christmas, from December 25 to January 5, we will celebrate St. Stephen, St. John the Apostle and the Holy Innocents, along with the Feast of the Holy Family, Mary, Mother of God, and Epiphany. The Christmas Season will culminate with the Baptism of the Lord. On Fri., January 3, we celebrate the Most Holy Name of Jesus. Let us also remember that beautiful tradition of bowing our head at the Sacred Name and in doing so give the Christ Child the glory He deserves.

A blessed Christmas Season and Happy New Year to everyone!

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine.”

Published in the December 06, 2024 issue of The Mirror.
Photo Credit: 
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