Episode 2806: The Mystery of the Incarnation and Our Response - Morning Episode

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Liturgical Calendar & Seasons Holy Innocents The commemoration of the children killed by Herod after Christ’s birth.

2 Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind:
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God's love aright
She bore to men a Savior
When half-gone was the night.
The Mystery of the Incarnation and Our Response
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Welcome to today’s episode! As we draw closer to the joyous celebration of Christmas, let us pause and reflect on the profound mystery of the Incarnation. From eternity, God planned to enter into His creation not as a king in worldly splendor, but as a child in utter humility.
Through the words of Pope Benedict XVI, St. Hilary of Poitiers, and St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, we will explore the meaning of God’s infinite love made flesh and the transformative impact of Christ’s Incarnation on our lives. Together, we’ll consider how this great mystery calls us to open our hearts and give Him room to dwell within us.
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Segment 1: The Infinite Becomes a Child
Pope Benedict XVI once said:
"God has done everything; he has done the impossible: he was made flesh. His all-powerful love has accomplished something which surpasses all human understanding: the Infinite has become a child, has entered the human family. And yet, this same God cannot enter my heart unless I open the door to him."
The Incarnation is the ultimate expression of God’s love. He did not come as a distant observer but entered into the human experience in every way except sin. God’s infinite majesty clothed itself in the frailty of human nature, making Himself vulnerable for our sake.
And yet, despite this miraculous condescension, He respects our free will. As Pope Benedict reminds us, the Creator waits for us to open the door of our hearts to Him. The all-powerful God, who needs nothing, desires to dwell in us. Are we prepared to let Him in?

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Segment 2: St. Hilary of Poitiers on the Humility of the Incarnation
St. Hilary of Poitiers beautifully captures the mystery of Christ’s birth:
"What worthy return can we make for so great a condescension? The One Only-begotten God, ineffably born of God, entered the Virgin's womb and grew and took the frame of poor humanity. He who upholds the universe, within whom and through whom are all things, was brought forth by common childbirth. He at whose voice archangels and angels tremble, and heaven and earth and all the elements of this world are melted, was heard in childish wailing. The Invisible and Incomprehensible, whom sight and feeling and touch cannot measure, was wrapped in a cradle."
In reflecting on these words, we see the paradox of the Incarnation: the Creator of all things subjected Himself to human limitations. The One whose voice commands the cosmos cried out in the simplicity of infancy.
This humility is a model for us. If God humbled Himself in such a radical way, how can we, in our pride, refuse to humble ourselves before Him? The manger teaches us that true greatness lies in humility and self-giving love.
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Segment 3: The Resurrection: The Fulfillment of the Incarnation
St. Paul reminds us of the purpose of the Incarnation in 1 Corinthians 15:21-26:
"For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death."
The Incarnation finds its fulfillment in the Resurrection. Christ became man to redeem humanity, to destroy sin and death, and to restore us to eternal life. In Adam, all fell, but in Christ, all are raised. This victory over death was made possible because God first chose to enter human history as a vulnerable child.
As we celebrate Christmas, let us not lose sight of the cross and the empty tomb. The crib and the cross are intimately connected. The child born in Bethlehem came to conquer sin and bring us to eternal life.
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Segment 4: Opening the Door of Our Hearts
The Incarnation calls for a response. As Pope Benedict said, God cannot enter our hearts unless we open the door to Him. How do we do this?
1. Through Prayer: Spend time in prayer, asking the Lord to fill your heart with His presence.
2. Through Sacrifice: Humble yourself before God, as Christ humbled Himself for us.
3. Through the Sacraments: Encounter Christ in the Eucharist and Confession, where His grace strengthens and heals us.
4. Through Love: Live out your faith by loving and serving others, imitating the self-giving love of the Christ-child.
Let us make room for Him, not just during the Christmas season but every day of our lives.
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Conclusion Prayer
Let us close with a prayer of gratitude and surrender to the Incarnate Lord.
Heavenly Father,
In Your infinite love, You sent Your Son to dwell among us, taking on our human nature to save us from sin and death. We marvel at the mystery of the Incarnation and the humility of Christ, who was born for us in a manger.
Lord Jesus,
You, who uphold the universe, became a child, inviting us to open our hearts to You. Help us to humble ourselves and welcome You fully into our lives. Strengthen our faith, that we may follow You with love and devotion.
Holy Spirit,
Fill us with Your grace this Christmas season. May we be transformed by the mystery of the Incarnation and live as witnesses to the love of Christ. Guide us to grow in humility and charity, and prepare our hearts for the day when we will see You face to face.
We ask this through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. Amen.
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Thank you for joining us today. May the mystery of the Incarnation fill your heart with joy and hope this Christmas season. Remember, God has done everything for us; let us open the door of our hearts to Him. Until next time, may God bless you abundantly.