Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – Christmastime – The Nativity of the Lord – Mass during the Day – John 1:1-18

The Gospel for the Mass during the Day for the Nativity of the Lord is John 1:1-18.

While John’s Prologue is not top of mind when thinking of Christmas, the Prologue a beautiful and stunning summary of the blessings mankind receives at the Nativity of Jesus Christ. John confirms that Christ is the Son of God who comes into the world to allow all men who receive Him to become adopted children of God and to enter into eternal life.

Christ’s identity as the Son of God is revealed. Christ is with God before time and space exists in the beginning before the Creation (Gen 1:1-5). Christ is “with God”, confirming that the Father and the Son are different Divine Persons, and “was God”, confirming the Divinity of Jesus Christ. As the “Word”, Christ is the Father’s spoken word in which God establishes Creation and redeems fallen men through the Incarnation of the Word; Christ is wisdom itself. Christ is the source of life (both on earth and in Heaven), light, truth and mercy, has the power to reveal God (through His miracles and wisdom) and grants men who believe in Him to enter into eternal life.

While the world does not recognize Him (1:10) and Israel rejects Him (1:11), those who respond and receive Him are given astounding blessings: to receive enlightenment and truth, to receive faith, to receive truth, to know God, to become sons of God, to receive grace upon grace (truth and mercy), to receive eternal life and to behold His glory. No man can receive these gifts through inheritance, natural birth, or will (v. 13); only through faith in Christ Jesus can men be saved.

Awed by Jesus Christ – Son of God, Christ is with the Father before Creation and is God. Divine Wisdom, Christ is the Word uttered by God to create the world and brings light and truth and grace to the world to redeem it. Savior and Divine Mercy, Christ allows those who believe in Him to become adopted children of God and to receive eternal life.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) Ponder and be astounded at Christ’s role in Creation: He exists with the Father before Creation (estimated to be 10+ billion years old) and causes Creation (the known universe is 100 billion light-years wide) to occur (time, space, molecules, stars, planets, life forms, and men who are created in His Image).

2) Ignoring the fullness of Truth in the Word, men chase knowledge, seeking wisdom in the world (academics, science, philosophy, politics, ideologies, “gurus”, etc.). At Christmastime, reflect upon The Word made Flesh (CCC 65-67, 73, 81, 101-104, 241, 461, 2653) and pray for Christ to grant you His Truth in the Eucharist, Scripture and the Magisterium of His only Church.

3) There is a growing darkness in the world as men turn from God and fall deeper and deeper into darkness and death. At Christmas, rejoice the Christ offers the infinite blessing for Men to become Sons of God (CCC 460, 526, 706, 1265, 1692, 1996) and pray for Christ to help you become the son of God you are called to be.