the only christmas spirit
"The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord." —Isaiah 11:2
On this third day of the Church's year, the Church reminds us of our Confirmations. When our bishop or his delegate confirmed us in the Holy Spirit, his prayer was primarily based on the beginning of Isaiah 11. Through today's Mass readings, the Church is calling us to stir into flame the gift of the Holy Spirit received at Confirmation (see 2 Tm 1:6-7).
The Holy Spirit is the only true Christmas Spirit. Only in the Holy Spirit can we profess "Jesus is Lord" (1 Cor 12:3) and accept Jesus as He comes in a special way this Christmas. Christ and Christmas are hidden from the learned and the clever and revealed by the Holy Spirit to the merest children (Lk 10:21). If we do not rejoice in the Spirit this Christmas (see Lk 10:21), we will not have true joy this Christmas. The birth of Christ was possible only because the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary, and she conceived Jesus (Lk 1:35). Likewise, our Christmas celebration of Jesus' birth is possible only because of the Holy Spirit resting on us and dwelling in us through Baptism and Confirmation. To meet Christ this Christmas season, we need the Holy Spirit fully active in our lives.
Before we sing and pray "O Come, O Come Emmanuel!" and "O Come All Ye Faithful," let us pray: "Come, Holy Spirit!"
Prayer: Father, may I want the fullness of the Holy Spirit more than I want anything else.
Promise: "Blest are the eyes that see what you see. I tell you, many prophets and kings wished to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." —Lk 10:23-24
Praise: After three years of Bible study, Paula acted on the call she heard to join the Catholic Church and received First Communion, Confession, and Confirmation.
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