Why was Jesus’ birth so complicated, messy, and humble? How does weakness and suffering help us in the spiritual life? How has blindness affected Fr Spitzer’s spiritual life? Today, I sit down with the well-loved Father Robert Spitzer, theologian and philosopher. We dive into Christmas, suffering, and a very personal account of his blindness and how he has come to view it as a blessing. I hope you enjoy this Christmas episode!

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00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:32 - Welcome, Fr Spitzer

00:01:10 - What’s the tradition of celebrating Christmas?

00:02:29 - Modest means is the main thing

00:11:31 - Why such a specific birth narrative?

00:12:34 - Hallow

00:13:58 - Jesus is true man

00:15:14 - Jesus doesn’t get special privileges

00:16:01 - Free choice

00:21:52 - Why the slaughter of the innocents?

00:22:57 - Good Ranchers

00:24:13 - God’s project is not limited to a single group in a single era

00:27:55 - If you’ve got everything in this world...

00:37:14 - EveryLife

00:38:02 - Fr Spitzer’s Blindness

00:45:41 - Seven Weeks

00:46:39 - Fr Spitzer felt utterly humiliated

00:58:57 - We must become like children

01:06:17 - Mother Angelica’s quote

01:11:04 - Scroll of Isaiah

01:14:02 - Why did Jesus come as a baby?

01:21:10 - Every child is the Christmas miracle