Now that Christmas Day has passed, Santa and his elves have disappeared, to be forgotten until next November (or October). Jesus, however, remains. He was opposed in the recent months before His birthday. The "politically correct" of the world opposed Him by refusing to mention His name for months, using only the term "holidays" rather than the term which bears His name, "Christmas." He was in effect opposed by Santa, who was used by the world to distract millions of people who might otherwise prepare to welcome Jesus on His birthday.

Jesus was opposed by His Jewish king, Herod, shortly after His birth, and was nearly assassinated. He and His parents were so opposed that they had to leave their own country as refugees simply to stay alive. As an adult, He was opposed with ridicule, mockery, plots, attempted arrests, betrayal, and, ultimately, being crucified. Jesus is still being opposed vehemently to this day.

Nonetheless, Jesus prefers being coldly opposed (Rv 3:16) to being ignored. Jesus is more than "able" (Heb 7:25) to deal with those who oppose Him. As the old saying goes, "opposites attract." At the height of opposition, when hanging in agony on the cross, Jesus attracted everyone to Himself (Jn 12:32).

Christians, don't be discouraged by those who vigorously oppose Jesus. They may be opposing Him now, but Jesus is relentlessly attracting them to Himself, as He did with Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:1ff). Pray and fast for the "downfall and the rise" of Jesus' opponents (Lk 2:34).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 19, 2005

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