The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) Day 74: The Christmas Mystery (2026)
8 snips
Mar 15, 2026 Reflections on Christ as a living mystery, from ancient preparation to the humble glory of his birth. Conversations about Advent’s threefold coming and John the Baptist’s role in readying hearts. A focus on becoming childlike, letting Christ increase while we decrease, and the idea of Christ being formed within us.
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Centuries Of Preparation For The Coming Of Christ
- The Old Testament prepared humanity for Christ over centuries through rituals, sacrifices, figures, and prophets.
- Fr. Mike Schmitz cites paragraph 522 describing how God made everything converge on Christ and even stirred a dim expectation among pagans.
Good Dreams Point Toward Revelation
- Non‑Christian religions hold 'good dreams' or dim anticipations of truth that point toward the Christian revelation.
- Fr. Mike references C.S. Lewis calling these hopes 'good dreams' that prepared pagans to long for resurrection and a caring God.
John The Baptist Pointed To Jesus From The Womb
- John the Baptist inaugurates the gospel even before birth, pointing to Christ as the Lamb of God.
- Fr. Mike cites paragraph 523 describing John's witness by preaching, baptism, martyrdom, and acting 'in the spirit and power of Elijah.'