Many people (who don't know any better) think Christmas is over. In fact, Christmas continues for nine more days and culminates in the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit rested upon Him (Jn 1:32). Then Jesus baptized us in that same Holy Spirit (Jn 1:33). The Church teaches us in her liturgy that the ultimate Christmas gift is the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Through our Baptisms and Confirmations, we already have the Spirit living within us, but through sin and selfishness the Spirit may be quenched (1 Thes 5:19). The gift of the Christmas Spirit is sent "to stir into flame the gift bestowed when" hands were laid on us (2 Tm 1:6).
The Christmas you've had so far is only a beginning, a stepping stone to full life in the Spirit. During these next ten days, repent (Acts 2:38), go to Confession, humble yourself (see Lk 1:38), and cry out: "Come, Holy Spirit!" (see Lk 11:13) You will have the best Christmas ever by receiving the Christmas Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, God Himself.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I want the Spirit as much as I want to breathe. |
| PROMISE: | "See what love the Father has bestowed on us in letting us be called children of God! Yet that is what we are." –1 Jn 3:1 |
| PRAISE: | "At Jesus' name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father; JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!" (Phil 2:10-11) |
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