Christmas with Ven. Fulton Sheen

"The birth of Christ is the beginning of a new creation”

-Ven. Fulton J. Sheen

Later this evening, as we gather together to celebrate Christmas, we acknowledge in a special way the deep mystery of the Incarnation, the moment when the Word became flesh. This sacred event is not only the cornerstone of our faith but also a profound revelation of God’s love for humanity.One of the great evangelists of the 20th century, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, gave profound witness to the reverence due to the incarnation and its special meaning for every person.

In the Gospel of John, we hear, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." Tonight, we celebrate this incredible mystery, God becoming human in the person of Jesus Christ. Sheen often spoke of the Incarnation as God’s way of being intimately present with us in our human experience. He writes, "The purpose of the Incarnation was not just to redeem man, but to reveal to him the dignity of his own humanity." Through this act, God did not diminish Himself but raised up the dignity of humanity.

As Sheen beautifully writes in The Life of Christ, “The divine and the human were united in Christ, and so the divine came into the world not as a judge but as a Redeemer.” God’s entry into our world wasn’t in the form of a distant ruler, but as a loving Savior, coming to restore us to our true glory. His love for us is what brought Him to this moment—His desire to draw us near. Sheen also reminds us, "It is a great mystery that God should choose to be born in a stable, yet the greater mystery is that He continues to be born in the hearts of men." In this humble birth, God is telling us that His love is available to all, no matter their circumstances.

Advent, which lead us into the celebration of Christmas, is a time of quiet anticipation and spiritual preparation. It’s not just about waiting for the day, but about opening our hearts to the wonder of God coming into the world. Sheen often said that the Incarnation is a mystery that can’t be fully understood by reason alone, it must be embraced with faith. "Faith," he said, "is not a leap in the dark; it is a step into the light." As we prepare to celebrate, let’s reflect on how we can take a step into that light, allowing ourselves to embrace this mystery more fully.

As Christmas draws near, let’s take time for reflection and prayer, allowing ourselves to be touched anew by the presence of God. Through the Incarnation, God doesn’t just come to visit, He comes to transform us. This season invites us to welcome Him into our hearts and be changed by His love. "The greatest thing anyone can do is to let Christ into his life," Sheen once said. As we prepare to celebrate His birth, let’s consider how we might allow His love to change us in the year ahead.

The Christmas story, with its humble beginning in a stable, speaks volumes about what it means to be truly human. Sheen always pointed out that the Incarnation isn’t just a historical event; it’s an invitation to a deeper transformation. The birth of Jesus calls us to live with more love, compassion, and humility in our own lives. Sheen beautifully observed, "In the Cross, Jesus became the great lover, not just in His passion and suffering but in His willingness to lay down His life for us."

As we celebrate Christ’s birth tonight, let’s reflect on how we can open our hearts to Him more fully. Sheen often said, “We must go to Christ in order to know the meaning of our lives.” This Christmas, let’s seek Christ in our prayer, in our relationships, and in our actions, allowing His love to guide and change us.

A Christmas Prayer
As we gather to celebrate this holy night, we give thanks for the miracle of the Incarnation, God coming to us in the most humble of ways, as a child, bringing with Him the promise of peace, joy, and redemption. Through the insights of Bishop Sheen, we are reminded that the story of salvation, which began with Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, is still unfolding today, in our hearts and in the lives of those around us. Sheen once said, “The message of Christmas is that God is with us.”

This Christmas, may we open our hearts to Christ’s love, and may that love shine through us in everything we do. Whether we’re sharing a meal with loved ones or finding the courage to forgive, may we be a light to the world, just as Christ came to be our light. Amen.

"In the birth of Christ, we see the love of God that brings life, a love that comes not as a judge, but as a Redeemer."