Christmas 2012 may be even greater than the amazing Christmases of the past. This Christmas may be the Christmas of Christmases. To prepare for the greatest Christmas, we need all the help we can get. Before Christ's Christmas coming, we need Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and of children to their fathers (Mal 3:24). We also need to hear the prophetic message of John the Baptizer and be immersed in his baptism of repentance (Lk 3:3). Most of all, we need Mary, the ultimate expert on Christmas.
As the mother of God and the Immaculate Conception, Mary is the expert on the meaning of conception. (This is exceptionally important today when so many babies are killed shortly after conception through abortion.) As the pregnant Lady of Guadalupe, Mary is also the expert on pregnancy. As the mother who gave birth to Jesus in the stable, she is the expert on birth. As the virgin spouse of the Holy Spirit, she will minister to us the Holy Spirit of Christmas when she visits us this Christmas (see Lk 1:39-41).
"Mary" Christmas! May we love Jesus as Mary does. When we do, we will have the Christmas of Christmases.
| PRAYER: | Father, may this Christmas be more than I can ever ask for or imagine (Eph 3:20). May I trust You this Christmas when You do things I don't understand. |
| PROMISE: | "I have come to do Your will." –Heb 10:9 |
| PRAISE: | "O Emmanuel, King and Lawgiver, Desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God." |
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