birthday presents
"Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne." —Micah 5:2
Even though it's your mom's birthday and not yours, the Lord wants to give you a birthday present. He will bring to birth in your life something you have given up on (Mi 5:2), something you can't even imagine working together for the good (Rm 8:28). This miraculous birthday gift will come in a small package. Look at the "little town of Bethlehem" (see Mi 5:1), the teenage virgin mother from Nazareth (Mt 1:23), and the Baby born in the stable (Lk 2:7). The Lord delights in putting His most precious presents in small packages.
Your birthday present will be opened by the power of the Spirit, or more precisely, you will be opened to the gift. Like Joseph, you will need to resist the temptation to divorce yourself from the gift of the Spirit (Mt 1:19). Like Mary, you must overcome fear by faith and "let it be done to you according to God's Word" (see Lk 1:38). Will you receive the birth-present of new birth and new life, even in impossible circumstances? Like Mary, will you believe that "nothing is impossible with God"? (Lk 1:37)
Prayer: Father, give me the faith to expect and receive a miracle.
Promise: "He shall stand firm and shepherd His flock by the strength of the Lord, in the majestic name of the Lord, His God; and they shall remain, for now His greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; He shall be Peace." —Mi 5:3-4
Praise: Mary received the gift of sinlessness from her Son years before He was born.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Immaculate Heart of Mary on audio AV 19-1 or video V-19.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 8, 2005
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