Christmas is not merely a memory or symbol. It is a real coming of Jesus Christ. We know Jesus has already come and is present everywhere, but we also believe He will come again to us this Christmas.
How will we know when He comes? Will we see Him? Many people have had visions of Jesus (e.g. Acts 9:3ff; 18:9; Rv 1:10ff), but this does not always help them love Christ. Christmas, like life, is not a matter of seeing, but of believing. "Although you have never seen Him, you love Him, and without seeing you now believe in Him, and rejoice with inexpressible joy touched with glory because you are achieving faith's goal, your salvation" (1 Pt 1:8-9). The inexpressible joy of Christmas comes from meeting Jesus, our Savior, through faith.
The real Christmas is a matter of faith. By faith, we can receive and give the following Christmas gifts:
Jesus repeatedly said: "Your faith has been your salvation" (e.g. Lk 17:19). It can also be said: "Your faith has been your Christmas."
| PRAYER: | Father, may Your Word help me to hear You. May hearing You strengthen my faith in You and in Christmas (see Rm 10:17). |
| PROMISE: | "My heart is moved with pity for the crowd." —Mt 15:32 |
| PRAISE: | John was healed of back pain on St. Nicholas Day. |
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