Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17, Luke 10:21-24
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112911.cfm
THE TRUE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
"Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit." -Luke 10:21
God's plan, including His plan for Christmas, is hidden from the learned and the clever, and revealed to the merest children (Lk 10:21). This does not mean that Christmas is for kids. "Merest children" are not people young in age; they are adults who completely depend on the Lord and have become "merest children" by the Spirit (see Mt 18:3). Thus, Christmas is neither for kids nor adults, but for people of any age who have become new creations, transformed by the Holy Spirit. The true Christmas spirit is the Holy Spirit. Christmas is for those living in the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit of Christmas is "a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord" (Is 11:2). It is primarily a Spirit of justice. If we have and give the true Christmas Spirit, the poor and afflicted will be judged with justice (Is 11:4). If we have the true Christmas Spirit, we are leading people to Christ, Who will then give these people His heart for the poor and for justice.
The true Christmas spirit is the Holy Spirit leading us to depend totally on Jesus and to give justice to the poor and oppressed. The true Christmas spirit is that of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph at the manger in Bethlehem.
Prayer: Father, may I unlearn the worldly Christmas and learn the real one.
Promise: "Blest are the eyes that see what you see. I tell you, many prophets and kings wished to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." -Lk 10:23-24
Praise: Rather than run around preparing for a worldly Christmas, Anna waits in quiet and prayer for the coming of her Savior.
(For a related teaching, order our leaflet Be Holy, For I Am Holy".)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from October 1, 2011 through November 30, 2011
?Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Bishop-Elect, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 26, 2011 (for 10-1-2011 through 11-29-2011) and May 26, 2011 (for 11-30-2011)
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
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