Christmas, like life, is a matter of obedience. If we obey the Lord's commands, we will become prosperous, vindicated, blessed, and assured this Christmas (Is 48:18-19). However, we are often like rebellious, disobedient children who want to give orders rather than take them (Mt 11:16-17). We must repent of this self-willed, disobedient attitude or we will deprive ourselves of Christmas and even of Christ.
At the first Christmas, the Lord gave His commands to Mary and Joseph through the angel Gabriel and the government (Lk 2:1). He commanded wise men and rulers through a star and the Bible (Mt 2:2-6). He commanded shepherds through a choir of angels (Lk 2:10). The few who obeyed were at the first Christmas. However, a world of innkeepers had no room in their disobedient hearts even for the Messiah (Lk 2:7).
It is the same today. The real Christmas, the personal encounter with Christ awaits those who believe in the Lord enough to obey Him. Only those who follow the star of obedience will make their way to the manger and find the Christ Child.
| PRAYER: | Lord, if I don't die to self, I'll miss out on Christmas again and I'll never love You. I repent. |
| PROMISE: | "I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go." –Is 48:17 |
| PRAISE: | Robert always spends much more time preparing spiritually for Christmas than he does materially. |
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