Readings: Isaiah 52:7-10 / Hebrews
1:1-6 / John 1:1-18
Reflection
JESUS CHRIST IS BORN! Merry Christmas, Everyone!
The day we've been waiting for! Isaiah's messenger is running up the mountain
shouting, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings
glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation!"
That's today! That's this moment! That's Christmas! "Your God is King! The
LORD has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD has bared
his holy arm in the sight of all the nations; all the ends of the earth will
behold the salvation of our God." Every nation. Every person. Every heart.
Salvation has arrived! Not someday. Not eventually. Today! Right now! In
Bethlehem! In a manger there is a baby! And the joy, oh, the JOY, is overwhelming!
The watchmen shout for joy together! The ruins of Jerusalem break into song!
Why? Because "they see directly, before their eyes, the LORD restoring
Zion." We see it too! We see God with our own eyes! "For in times
past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the
prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through his Son." Hebrews
proclaims it! God isn't sending messages anymore. He's come Himself! Jesus is
"the refulgence of his glory, the very imprint of his being." God's
glory in human flesh. God's nature in a baby's face. Today! Christmas! He is
here!
And then John's Gospel, THE most
magnificent Christmas announcement ever written: "In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." That Word is
Jesus. "All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to
be." Creation itself came through Jesus. "In him was life, and this
life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness has not overcome it." TODAY the light shines! TODAY we see it!
Christmas is the light breaking into the darkness! And then the verse that
makes us weep with joy: "And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling
among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son,
full of grace and truth." THE WORD BECAME FLESH! God became human!
Infinite became infant! Creator became creature! And we have SEEN His glory!
Not in a temple. Not in a vision. In a baby born in Bethlehem! "From his
fullness we have all received grace in place of grace." Wave after wave of
grace crashing over us! Law through Moses, yes! But "grace and truth came
through Jesus Christ." And today - TODAY: Jesus Christ is born! "No
one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has
revealed him." Want to see God? Look at Jesus! Want to know God? Meet
Jesus! Want to experience God? Receive Jesus! And today is, “Christmas Day.” He is
here! Born! Arrived! Among us! Emmanuel: God with us! The waiting is over! The
promise is fulfilled! He is here!
This is your final day of this Advent
retreat, but it's not an ending, it's a BEGINNING! Everything we've reflected
on, every question we've wrestled with, every prayer we've prayed, all lead
to today. And today leads to the rest of your life with Jesus! You've journeyed
through Advent. You've prepared your heart. You've waited with expectation. And
now He's here! What happens next? That's up to you. Will Christmas be a day or
a life? Will Jesus be a baby in a manger or Lord of your heart? Will today be a
celebration or a transformation? The Word became flesh. Now what? John tells
us: "To those who did accept him, he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name." You are a child of God! Not someday.
Today! Right now! Through Jesus! And the new year is just days away. What if
you entered it as a completely surrendered child of God? What if you let Jesus,
really let Him, be Lord? Not just Savior. Not just a Friend. LORD. King. Master.
The Word who became flesh to dwell among us wants to dwell IN you. The light
that shines in darkness wants to illuminate EVERY corner of your life. Isaiah's
salvation wants to reach YOU. Hebrews' glory wants to shine FROM you. John's
Word wants to TRANSFORM you. This retreat has come to an end, just for now. But
your journey with Jesus is just beginning. Or re-beginning. Or deepening. Or
exploding into something you never imagined! He is here! Now what will you do
with Him? How will you live for Him? Where will you go with Him? The angel told
the shepherds, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news
of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David, a
savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord." FOR YOU! He was
born FOR YOU! Christmas isn't just history. It's YOUR story. He came FOR YOU.
He lived FOR YOU. He died FOR YOU. He rose FOR YOU. And today we celebrate that
He's here FOR YOU. Merry Christmas! He is born! And everything “EVERYTHING” is
different now!
Franciscan
Reflection
Francis created the first living
nativity because he wanted people to EXPERIENCE Christmas, not just commemorate
it. He wanted them to see the poverty, feel the humility, understand the
scandal of God becoming helpless. Francis said, "We have been made
children of God, and we do not know what we shall be." That's the
adventure of Christmas! We're children of God now! Through Jesus! And we don't
know what we'll become! What God will do! Where He'll lead! Francis's entire
life after his conversion was living out Christmas, letting Jesus be born in
him every single day. He didn't just celebrate Christmas once a year. He lived
Christmas every moment. The Word became flesh in Bethlehem. The Word became
flesh in Francis. And the Word wants to become flesh in YOU. Not metaphorically.
Actually. Really. Through your choices. Through your love. Through your life.
This retreat is over, but more reflections are coming! Keep reading! Keep
growing! Keep letting Jesus transform you! Francis would tell you: Christmas is
just the beginning. Now go live it! Go be it! Go let the Word become flesh in
you!
For
Your Reflection
Take your time. I hope you have
enjoyed this format of study during this Retreat. During Lent 2026, there will
be another retreat.
About the Word Becoming Flesh:
- "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling
among us." Where is Jesus asking to dwell in you more fully?
- God became human to reach you. What will you
become to reach others?
- "From his fullness we have all received grace
in place of grace." What grace are you receiving today?
About Being Children of God:
- "To those who did accept him, he gave power to
become children of God." Have you fully accepted Jesus into your life?
- You're a child of God! Do you live like it, or are
you still trying to earn what's already yours?
- Children trust their Father completely. What area
of your life needs more childlike trust?
About Light in Darkness:
- "The light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness has not overcome it." What darkness in your life needs this
light today?
- Christmas is about light conquering darkness.
Where do you need victory today?
- You've been given the light. Now what will you do
with it?
About the New Year Ahead:
- This retreat has come to an end for now, but your
journey continues. What's your one word for the new year?
- What transformation that began in Advent will you
complete in the new year?
- Jesus is born today. What's being born in you for
the year ahead?
About What's Next:
- More reflections are coming! Will you keep
reading? Keep growing? Keep seeking Jesus?
- This retreat may end for now, but your
relationship with Jesus never ends. How will you keep it growing?
- Christmas celebrates Emmanuel: God with us. Will
you live every day aware of His presence?
Praying
the Glorious Mysteries
As you pray the rosary today, see
where Christmas leads:
The Resurrection - The baby born today defeats death! Christmas leads to
Easter!
The Ascension - Emmanuel doesn't leave us. He promises, "I am with
you always."
The Descent of the Holy Spirit - The Word who became flesh sends the Holy Spirit to dwell
within us!
The Assumption - Mary, who bore Jesus, is taken to heaven. Our destiny too!
The Coronation - The baby born in poverty is crowned King of Kings!
That's our Lord!
The Glorious Mysteries show us
Christmas isn't just about our Lord’s birth; it's about a victory! Death
conquered! Heaven opened! Holy Spirit given! God’s Glory revealed! All because
of the baby born today!
A
Quiet Challenge
This is your final retreat day in this
style, but don't stop! Keep praying. Keep reflecting. Keep growing. Keep coming
back to this blog. Here's your challenge for the year ahead:
Every day, remember three Christmas
truths:
1. The Word became flesh (Jesus is real, present, with you)
2. The light shines in darkness (No darkness can overcome Him)
3. You are a child of God (You belong. You're loved. You're
His.)
Write them down. Put them somewhere
you'll see them every morning. Let them shape your year.
And watch for more reflections coming
soon! Your journey with Jesus continues!
Closing
Pray this with all the joy in your
heart:
"Lord Jesus, You are HERE! Born!
Arrived! Emmanuel, God with us! We have waited with such anticipation, and now
the waiting is over! You are here! Isaiah's salvation has come! Hebrews' glory
is revealed! John's Word has become flesh! And we rejoice! We celebrate! We
worship! Thank You for this Advent journey. Thank You for every reflection,
every question, every moment of growth. Thank You for transforming us,
challenging us, and loving us. Now we ask: what's next? How do we live in light of
Christmas? How do we carry this joy, this truth, this transformation into the
new year? Make us Your children; truly, deeply, completely. Shine Your light in
every corner of our lives. Let Your Word continue to become flesh in us through
our choices, our love, our obedience. This retreat has come to an end for now,
but our journey with You never ends. Keep teaching us. Keep shaping us. Keep
surprising us with Your grace. We are children of God! The Word has become
flesh! The light has conquered darkness! And nothing “NOTHING” will ever be the
same! Merry Christmas, Lord Jesus! We love You! We worship You! We surrender
everything to You! In Jesus' Name, Amen."
Then ask:
- What transformation that began in Advent will I
complete in the new year?
- Am I living like a child of God, or still trying
to earn His love?
- Christmas celebrates Emmanuel. Will I live aware
of His presence every day?
Jesus is born! Jesus is here! Jesus is
yours!
Merry Christmas!
The Word became flesh. Now let that
Word become flesh in you. Every day. For the rest of your life.
Joy! Joy! JOY!
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas
Day)
December 25, 2025
A Franciscan Reflection
This is the final day of your Advent
Retreat! Thank you for journeying with us through this blessed Advent Season.
More reflections and spiritual inspiration will continue tomorrow!
©2025 James Dacey, Jr., OFS
