Podcast Summary: The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) Episode: Day 74: The Christmas Mystery
Release Date: March 15, 2025

Introduction

In Day 74 of Ascension’s "The Catechism in a Year" podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz delves into the profound mysteries surrounding the Christmas narrative. This episode traverses paragraphs 522 to 526 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, exploring the immense preparation for Christ’s coming, the role of St. John the Baptist, the significance of the Liturgy of Advent, and the humble yet glorious birth of Jesus.

Overview of the Day's Reading (Paragraphs 522-526)

Fr. Mike begins by contextualizing today’s reading within the broader journey of the Catechism, emphasizing the intertwining of Scripture and Sacred Tradition in revealing God's plan. The focus is on understanding the depth of the Christmas Mystery and its implications for believers.

The Immensity of Christ’s Coming (Paragraph 522)

Fr. Mike highlights the opening of paragraph 522:
"The coming of God's Son to earth is an event of such immensity that God willed to prepare for it over centuries." (00:05)

He explains that God meticulously orchestrated historical events, rituals, and prophetic declarations to converge on the fulfillment of the Messiah's advent. This long-term preparation not only involved the Jewish people but also ignited a "dim expectation" in the hearts of pagans, as quoted:
"Moreover, he awakens in the hearts of the pagans a dim expectation of this coming." (03:45)

St. John the Baptist: The Forerunner (Paragraph 523)

Paragraph 523 introduces St. John the Baptist as the immediate precursor to Christ. Fr. Mike elaborates on John's vital role:
"John inaugurates the Gospel already from his mother's womb, welcomes the coming of Christ, and rejoices in being the friend of the bridegroom, whom he points out as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (10:20)

He draws parallels between John's mission and the stages of vocational preparation, emphasizing how John assists believers in their immediate preparation for encountering Christ.

The Liturgy of Advent and Expectancy (Paragraph 524)

In discussing paragraph 524, Fr. Mike explores the Liturgy of Advent:
"When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah." (17:00)

He explains that Advent serves multiple purposes:

• First Coming: Commemorating Jesus' birth at Christmas.
• Second Coming: Preparing for Christ's eventual return.
• Moment-to-Moment Presence: Acknowledging Jesus' ongoing presence in the sacraments and daily life.

This tri-fold expectation encourages believers to live in a state of readiness and continual preparation for Christ's presence and return.

The Christmas Mystery: Humble Birth and Glory (Paragraphs 525-526)

Fr. Mike transitions to the core of today's episode: the Christmas Mystery. He reflects on paragraph 525:
"Jesus was born in a humble stable into a poor family. Simple shepherds were the first witnesses to this event. In this poverty, Heaven's glory was made manifest." (25:15)

He recites a kontakion from Romanos the Melodist, illustrating the paradox of divine glory revealed in earthly humility: "The Virgin today brings into the world the Eternal, and the earth offers a cave to the inaccessible."

Becoming Children of God (Paragraph 526)

Paragraph 526 emphasizes the transformative aspect of Christmas:
"To become a child in relation to God is the condition for entering the Kingdom. For this, we must humble ourselves and become little. To become children of God, we must be born from above or born of God." (35:40)

Fr. Mike explains that embracing child-like humility and being "born of God" through baptism are essential for sharing in Christ's divinity. This spiritual rebirth aligns believers with the mystery of Christmas, where the Creator becomes part of creation.

Theological Reflections and Practical Applications

Fr. Mike intertwines theological insights with practical reflections:

• Preparation Analogies: He compares the stages of preparation for vocational callings (remote, proximate, immediate) to God's preparation for Christ's coming.
• Personal Transformation: He urges listeners to internalize the mystery of Christ forming within them, transforming their lives to reflect His divinity.
• Advent as a Living Expectancy: Advent is not merely a historical remembrance but a continuous preparation for Christ’s active presence in daily life.

Notable Quotes

1. Paragraph 522 – The Immensity of Christ’s Coming:
   "The coming of God's Son to earth is an event of such immensity that God willed to prepare for it over centuries." (00:05)

2. C.S. Lewis on Humanity’s Good Dreams:
   "The fact that some of those things exist... are what CS Lewis would call the good dreams that God had given to people who didn't know him." (08:30)

3. Kontakion of Romanos the Melodist:
   "The Virgin today brings into the world the Eternal, and the earth offers a cave to the inaccessible." (25:15)

4. Paragraph 526 – Transformative Exchange:
   "Only when Christ is formed in us will the mystery of Christmas be fulfilled in us." (34:50)

Conclusion

Fr. Mike Schmitz concludes the episode by reiterating the profound nature of the Christmas Mystery and its call for personal transformation. He emphasizes the importance of embracing humility and allowing Christ to be formed within us to fully partake in the mystery of His incarnation. The episode closes with a heartfelt prayer, aligning listeners' hearts with the angelic praises of Christmas and invoking God's grace to become true children of God.

Prayer Recitation: "Father, help us to become like children in relation to you. Help us accept you and let you love us. That's the love that can change our lives. It's the only love that can change the world. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen."

This episode of "The Catechism in a Year" provides a rich, introspective journey into the Christmas Mystery, inviting listeners to deepen their understanding of God's redemptive plan and their personal relationship with Christ.