The Prologue to the Gospel of St. John provides a foundation for this reflection, dear brothers and sisters and beloved sons and daughters of God our Father.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1–5).
“And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14).
Jesus is the universal and priceless Gift of Christmas! God our Father’s magnanimous love is beyond our total understanding in this life; His Only Begotten Son, always existent with the Father and the Holy Spirit, put on humanity while retaining divinity. His place of birth was less than desirable, to say the least. Jesus’ assuming human nature points to the simplicity of the Flame of Love born of Immaculate Mary. Can we not be thankful to His Mother for her Fiat; her “Yes” to the awesome responsibility communicated by the angel Gabriel?
Jesus had never lost His nature as God and lived earthly life for about 33 years, 3 of which were in Public Ministry. Jesus was extremely inclusive in His ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing, while facing rejection from some and receiving gratitude from others who embraced and followed Him as the Word become Flesh.
Jesus was no match for demons and freed demoniacs from their torments. Can we not appreciate and continually communicate the freedom in the words, “spread the effect of grace of Thy Flame of Love over all of humanity”? How appropriately are these words inserted in the Hail Mary. Do we not believe the “effect of grace” includes the conversion of sinners, the blinding of Satan, the New Pentecost, and other gifts God will give to His Church and to all of humanity through the Blessed Mother? Jesus, fully divine and fully human except for His sinlessness, aptly combines human simplicity and divine splendor. As we celebrate His birth this year, we pray that the Holy Spirit inspire us to keep the Flame of Love of the Immaculate Mary burning within our hearts as we confidently ignite the Flame of Jesus, the Word made Flesh, in others.
May the divine wildfire spread!
Peace, love, and blessings to you, brothers and sisters.
Father Mike Davis
National Spiritual Advisor