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." 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. So 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 kind of Advent.
Promise: "A Star shall advance from Jacob, and a Staff shall rise from Israel." —Nm 24:17
Praise: Anna made a promise to pray the Liturgy of the Hours every day in Advent in order to prepare for Christmas.
Reference: (To get out of a descending spiral, learn more about the Bible. We have several tape series that may help you. Overview of the Bible is six audio tapes starting with AV 10A-1 or three video tapes starting with V-10A. An Introduction to each Book of the Bible is thirty-two audio tapes starting with AV 21-1 or seventeen video tapes starting with V-21.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert A. Stricker, June 23, 2003
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 2003