Mary is the expert on Christmas. She carried the Christ Child in her womb. She gave birth in the stable and nursed the Infant Jesus. Mary's Christmas prayer is: "Let it be done unto me according to Your word" (Lk 1:38, our translation).
Christmas is done by Christ. No human activity can make Christmas happen. All the presents, cookies, cards, and carols in the world can't make Christmas. We just can't do it. We can only let Christmas be done to us by Christ.
Jesus can do Christmas anywhere – in a stable, a jail, a mansion, the slum, the street, or in church. Jesus most often does Christmas at Mass. That's why it's named Christ-Mass. Begin to prepare for the first Mass of the Christmas season next Tuesday. Read the Scriptures that will be read at this Mass. Commit or re-commit your life to Jesus on Christmas day. Let Jesus do Christmas for you according to His word.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, do with me as You like. |
| PROMISE: | "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; hence, the holy Offspring to be born will be called Son of God." –Lk 1:35 |
| PRAISE: | "O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at Your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead Your captive people into freedom." |
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