the christ of christmas
"...he who denies that Jesus is the Christ. He is the antichrist." —1 John 2:22
Jesus Christ is God. "All were created through Him, and for Him. He is before all else that is. In Him everything continues in being" (Col 1:16-17). Primacy is "His in everything" (Col 1:18). "Absolute fullness reside(s) in Him" (Col 1:19). Jesus Christ is "the faithful Witness, the First-Born from the dead and Ruler of the kings of earth" (Rv 1:5). He is "the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and End" (Rv 21:6).
"At Jesus' name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!" (Phil 2:10-11) Even Jesus' enemies subtly intimate His supremacy by being named "antichrists." They are named in reference to Him. Jesus sets the standard. Everything is secondary to Him. Jesus is not called the anti-Satan or the anti-evil. He is the Christ, and even antichrists can't help but give witness (although unwilling) to Jesus' divinity.
We are in the middle of the Christmas season. Even time itself bows down before the Christ. Even antichrists say "Merry Christmas!" How much more will true Christians proclaim the Christ of Christmas!
Prayer: "JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!" (Phil 2:11)
Promise: "Remain in Him now, little ones, so that, when He reveals Himself, we may be fully confident and not retreat in shame at His coming." —1 Jn 2:28
Praise: By the power of the Holy Spirit, St. Basil protected his diocese from heresy.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, July 15, 2000
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 17, 2000