Happy birthday, St. John the Baptizer! We celebrate John's birthday to remind us of Jesus' birthday six months from now. We only have 183 shopping days and repenting days to prepare for the birthday of Jesus. We can do our shopping quickly, but we're usually slower in repenting. That's why we should start now.
If Jesus were to come right now, how many would have room for Him in their inn? (Lk 2:7) We've got to clear out sin, resentment, unforgiveness, fear, doubt, compulsive behavior, and much more to make room for the Savior. Jesus will help us. He will send John the Baptizer to "put out the garbage" of our lives. Then Jesus will come and take it away. It's all been dealt with on Calvary. We need only put it out through repentance and Confession.
John will baptize us in repentance (Acts 13:24), and "turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the rebellious to the wisdom of the just" (Lk 1:17). Then Jesus will set the Zechariahs free from bondage (Lk 1:63-64). As we celebrate John's birthday, let him minister to you so that Christmas 2007 will be the Christmas of a lifetime.
| PRAYER: | Father, do whatever it takes to make me holy. |
| PROMISE: | "I will make you a light to the nations, that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth." –Is 49:6 |
| PRAISE: | Praise Jesus, at Whose presence St. John the Baptizer leapt in his mother's womb! |
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