To give birth, a mother must be pregnant for approximately nine months. To give birth this Christmas, a Christian must be filled with Jesus for at least a few weeks. The birth of every creature requires a pregnancy of varying duration. Have you carried the baby long enough? Have you reached full term? How far apart are the contractions? Tomorrow is birth day, Jesus' birthday. Are you ready for birthing?
St. Zechariah went through the nine-month pregnancy with his wife. It was a difficult pregnancy. Zechariah was mute, and at the end of nine months was hardly any closer to bringing forth life. Yet finally he obeyed the Lord; "his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed" (Lk 1:64). He gave birth to a prophecy that has echoed throughout the ages: "Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel because He has visited and ransomed His people" (Lk 1:68).
The prophet Nathan heard about King David's plan of building God a house. He went to sleep that night and woke up laboring to give birth to the greatest prophecy of the old covenant, the establishing of David's house forever (2 Sm 7:16).
You have reached the full term of Advent pregnancy. Expect to go into labor soon and deliver the prophetic Word.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, I can hardly wait for the birth of Your new life. "Come, Lord Jesus!" (Rv 22:20) |
| PROMISE: | "He, the Dayspring, shall visit us in His mercy to shine on those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." –Lk 1:78-79 |
| PRAISE: | "Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel because He has visited and ransomed His people" (Lk 1:68). |
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