loving christmas (part 1)
"If we love one another God dwells in us." —1 John 4:12
We love God and others, but we need to grow deeper in love, to be perfected in love by God's grace (see 1 Jn 4:17). By obedience to the truth, we can purify ourselves for a genuine love of our brothers and sisters (1 Pt 1:22). As our love becomes deeper, more mature, and perfected, this "perfect love casts out all fear" (1 Jn 4:18). We can be so much in love and so free from fear "that we should have confidence on the day of judgment" (1 Jn 4:17).
Have you had a good Christmas season so far? By "good," I don't mean presents and parties, but love. Each day of this Christmas season, are you growing more deeply in God's love? If so, you are having a wonderful Christmas. You are preparing for a fearless new year and for confidence even on Judgment Day.
Let us pray for the love of God to be "poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us" (Rm 5:5). Come, Holy Spirit and Christmas Spirit of love!
Prayer: Father, may I accept Your grace to love my brothers and sisters so much that I would die for them (1 Jn 3:16).
Promise: "He shall rescue the poor man when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor; the lives of the poor he shall save." —Ps 72:12- 13
Praise: Josephine forgave her sister and was reconciled with her.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, June 20, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 1996