Many of the chief priests and elders did not believe in St. John the Baptizer's baptism. Thus, they were not prepared to accept Jesus. So, they crucified Him. Many people are so ignorant of history or disobedient to God that they do not take Advent seriously. Thus, they are not prepared to meet Christ at Christmastime (see Mt 2:7-8, 12). So they miss out on Christmas.
When Christmas is a far cry from what the Lord wants it to be, then many do not have God's mindset about Christmas. Rather, they think their mediocre, watered-down Christmas is the true meaning of Christmas. With this view of Christmas, they do not expect much for the next Christmas. Therefore, they see little need for Advent, since things that do not mean much (like such a view of Christmas) do not need much preparation. Thus they have another poor Advent, leading to another substandard Christmas, leading to a poorer Advent and Christmas next year, etc.
Are you in a descending spiral of Advents and Christmases? This is very bad for your life, death, and afterlife. Throw your heart into Advent now before you miss out on Christmas again.
| PRAYER: | Father, give me Your level of Advent. |
| PROMISE: | "A Star shall advance from Jacob, and a Staff shall rise from Israel." –Nm 24:17 |
| PRAISE: | Karen resolved to pray for the Pope and bishops rather than criticize them. |
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