the star of obedience
"If you would hearken to My commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea." —Isaiah 48:18
Christmas, like life, is a matter of obedience. If we obey the Lord's commands, we will become prosperous, vindicated, blessed, and assured this Christmas (Is 48:18-19). However, we are often like rebellious, disobedient children who want to give orders rather than take them (Mt 11:16-17). We must repent of this self-willed, disobedient attitude or we will deprive ourselves of Christmas and even of Christ.
At the first Christmas, the Lord gave His commands to Mary and Joseph through His angel (Lk 1:26; Mt 1:20) and the government (Lk 2:1). He commanded the wise men through a star and the Bible (Mt 2:2-6). He commanded the shepherds through a choir of angels (Lk 2:11-12). The few who obeyed were present at the first Christmas. Yet a world of innkeepers had no room in their hearts even for the Messiah (Lk 2:7). It is the same today. The real Christmas, the personal encounter with Christ, is for those who believe in the Lord enough to obey Him. Only those who follow the star of obedience will make their way to the manger and find the Christ-Child.
Prayer: Lord, if I don't die to self, I'll miss out on Christmas again and I'll never love You. I repent.
Promise: "I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go." —Is 48:17
Praise: Pope St. Damasus I promoted the martyrs as a means to fight heresy and schism.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet Obedience School or our tape entitled Obeying God on audio AV 62-3 or video V-62 or download our leaflet or CD 62-3 or DVD 62 at presentationministries.com.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 2015
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