Jesus is "a Sign of contradiction for the rise and fall of many" (Lk 2:34, our transl). He was crucified because He was believed to be advocating a revolution, although His kingdom was not of this world (Jn 18:36). Even before He was born, Mary, His mother, prophesied: "He has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places. The hungry He has given every good thing, while the rich He has sent empty away" (Lk 1:52-53). Shortly after Jesus was born, King Herod tried to kill Him, for Herod saw Jesus as a threat to his power (Mt 2:3, 13, 16). The early Church, following in the footsteps of the Lord, turned the world right side up (Acts 17:6) and was persecuted as Jesus was because it was a threat to the powers that be. Christianity eventually brought down the Roman Empire and many other dynasties. In our times, Christianity has brought down some forms of Communism. Christians are revolutionaries in the Holy Spirit.

Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birthday. We want to give Jesus a present for His birthday, a Christmas present. Jesus would like to have a revolution for His birthday/Christmas present — a revolution of repentance and love in our hearts leading to a revolution of evangelization and discipleship which will overturn the culture of death and replace it with a civilization of life and love. Give Jesus what He wants for Christmas.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, May 30, 2001

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 4, 2001