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Saturday, December 18, 2010

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Jeremiah 23:5-8
Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19
Matthew 1:18-25

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an inconceivable christmas

"When His mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the power of the Holy Spirit." —Matthew 1:18

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus was born of a virgin (see also Mt 1:25). He did not have a human father. He was not conceived through sexual relations. His conception was miraculous and scientifically unexplainable. Jesus transcends our human intelligence. He does not contradict our human understanding, but transcends it. To prepare for Christ's Christmas coming, we must not filter God's work through the peephole of our own intelligence.

God commands: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not" (Prv 3:5). As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are His ways above your ways and His thoughts above your thoughts (Is 55:9). "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man what God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Cor 2:9).

This is our God. This is the Christ of Christmas — transcendent, almighty, glorious, all-holy. Jesus Christ "is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords Who alone has immortality and Who dwells in unapproachable light, Whom no human being has ever seen or can see. To Him be honor and everlasting rule! Amen" (1 Tm 6:15-16).

Prayer:  Father, during this last week of Advent and the Christmas season, may I let You do more than I can ever ask for or imagine (Eph 3:20).

Promise:  "I will raise up a righteous Shoot to David; as King He shall reign and govern wisely, He shall do what is just and right in the land." —Jer 23:5

Praise:  "O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, come stretch out your mighty hand to set us free."

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 28, 2010

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