WILL I HAVE CHRISTMAS?
I will “remove from your midst the proud braggarts.” –Zephaniah 3:11
“I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly.” –Zephaniah 3:12
Mass Readings: December 13
First: Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13; Resp: Psalm 34:2-3,6-7,17-19,23; Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32
To deprive yourself of Christmas:
- be rebellious (Zep 3:1),
- accept “no correction” (Zep 3:2),
- be a proud braggart (see Zep 3:11),
- “exalt yourself” (Zep 3:11),
- have “a deceitful tongue” (Zep 3:13), and
- refuse to repent.
To meet Christ in a new way this Christmas:
- trust in the Lord (Zep 3:2),
- draw near to God (Zep 3:2),
- “change and purify” your lips (Zep 3:9),
- “call upon the name of the Lord” (Zep 3:9),
- “serve Him with one accord” (Zep 3:9),
- bring Him offerings (Zep 3:10),
- be “humble and lowly” (Zep 3:12),
- “take refuge in the name of the Lord” (Zep 3:12),
- “do no wrong” (Zep 3:13),
- pasture and care for God’s people (see Zep 3:13), and
- “repent and believe in Him” (see Mt 21:32).
“Prepare the way of the Lord” (Mt 3:3; Is 40:3).
PRAYER: Father, prepare me for the best Christmas ever.
PROMISE: “When John came preaching a way of holiness, you put no faith in him.” –Mt 21:32
PRAISE: St. Lucy refused to renounce Jesus, and was condemned to die in a house of prostitution. Jesus made her immovable, such that even a team of oxen was unable to drag her to the brothel.
