The purpose of God becoming man, and therefore the purpose of Christmas, is to destroy the devil's works. That's why the anti-Christ denies Christ come in the flesh (1 Jn 4:2-3). That's why Herod "convulsed" in a violent reaction when he heard about the newborn King of the Jews (see Mt 2:2ff). Herod did not overreact but understood the true meaning of Christmas much better than most people.
Christmas is God's invasion of the devil's privacy here on earth. Christmas is an attack on the gates of hell which cannot prevail against us (Mt 16:18). Christmas is a behind-the-lines insurgency of the kingdom of light against the kingdom of darkness (Col 1:13). Christmas is war, or more precisely, placing Jesus' enemies beneath His feet (Heb 10:13).
The Lord is enlisting troops in His Christmas army. Will you join Him? 2006 is the year of victory. Whose side are you on? Neutrality is complicity with the enemy. You're either with Jesus or you're with Herod (Mt 12:30). It's Christmas time on the battlefield. You must decide.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, I'll fight for You, even if I have to die. |
| PROMISE: | "He will rule the world with justice and the peoples with equity." –Ps 98:9 |
| PRAISE: | St. Elizabeth fought the devil by leading thousands to Christ by her obedience to Him. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College