Some people are doubting Thomases, Scrooges, and Grinches. They have a cynical attitude toward Christmas. If you tell them that Jesus is truly coming this Christmas, that all will "be calm" and "bright," that the "herald angels" will sing and there will be "joy to the world," these cynics would respond: "Bah! Humbug!"
To those who don't expect much out of Christmas, the Lord says: "Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!" (Is 7:11) The Lord is willing to confirm the good news of Christmas with signs and wonders, but the Scrooges must be open enough to ask for a sign.
If you are cynical, the Lord will accept you where you are, but He will not accept your staying where you are. He expects you to ask for a sign which will replace cynicism with hope. Therefore, ask for a sign – a big sign, even an impossible sign (see Lk 1:37). The Lord will give you the sign you ask for or even better. The Lord will definitely show that He is Lord, Immanuel ("God with us") (Is 7:14), and loving Savior.
If, after seeing the sign, you turn to Jesus, you will have your greatest Christmas ever. You will have Christmas by God's standards, a Marian Christmas, a true encounter with Jesus Himself, God and Man.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, have Christmas in my life Your way. |
| PROMISE: | "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you." –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