a descending spiral
"Then why did you not put faith in it?" —Matthew 21:25
Many of the chief priests and elders did not believe in John's baptism. Thus, they were not prepared to accept Jesus. So they crucified Him.
Many people are so ignorant of history or disobedient to God that they do not take Advent seriously. Thus, they are not prepared to meet Christ at Christmastime. So they miss out on Christmas.
When Christmas is a far cry from what the Lord wants it to be, many do not realize that "the trouble is in their set," that is, they do not have God's mindset about Christmas. Rather, they think their mediocre, watered-down Christmas is the true meaning of Christmas. With this view of Christmas, they do not expect much for the next Christmas. Therefore, they see little need for Advent, since things that do not mean much (like Christmas) do not need much preparation. Thus they have another poor Advent, leading to another substandard Christmas, leading to a poorer Advent and Christmas next year, etc.
Are you in a descending spiral of Advents and Christmases? This is very bad for your life, death, and afterlife. Throw your heart into Advent now before you miss out on Christmas again.
Prayer: Father, give me Your level of Advent.
Promise: "A Star shall advance from Jacob, and a Staff shall rise from Israel." —Nm 24:17
Praise: Elizabeth's faith in and understanding of Christ has grown steadily year by year.
Reference: (To get out of a descending spiral, learn more about the Bible. Order, listen to or download the following series on our website: Overview of the Bible is six CDs starting CD 10 A-1 or three DVDs starting with DVD 10 A. An Introduction to each Book of the Bible is thirty-two CDs starting with CD 21-1 or seventeen DVDs starting with DVD 21.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 2, 2019
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