God is all-powerful and all-loving. He wills to love us with an everlasting love (see Jer 31:3). However, God has given us the freedom to defeat His plan in our regard. We can deprive ourselves from receiving God's love by refusing to be baptized in, that is, immersed in repentance (Lk 7:30).
This Christmas season, the Lord has plans for us to experience the breadth, length, height, and depth of His love (Eph 3:18). However, we can defeat the Lord's Christmas plans for us by refusing to repent completely and deeply. Therefore, let's prepare the way for the love of the Lord by celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Without a good Advent Confession, it's unlikely that we'll let God have His way this Christmas season.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you examine your conscience. Read the Bible, especially the Gospels, to help you prepare for Confession. Also, fast in some way for a day or more in preparation for Confession. Then go to Confession. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, not on your guilt, feelings, or self. Thank Jesus for forgiving you. Then anticipate with inexpressible joy (see 1 Pt 1:8) Christ's Christmas coming.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I see Confession as an absolutely essential preparation for Christmas. |
| PROMISE: | "Raise a glad cry, you barren one who did not bear, break forth in jubilant song, you who were not in labor." –Is 54:1 |
| PRAISE: | Hannah plans her Advent around the reading of the entire book of Isaiah. |
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