christmas (adam and) eve?
"Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!" —2 Samuel 7:2
"No big deal — Jesus is coming tomorrow on Christmas Day. He does that every year. Hey! Santa Claus is coming tomorrow! I wonder what I'll get!"
"No big deal — God is walking in the garden of Eden this afternoon (Gn 3:8). He does this all the time. Wow! That apple looks luscious! (Gn 3:6) I wonder what it tastes like..."
"No big deal — Jesus is going to be appearing at my Church today in the form of bread and wine. He does that all the time. Mmmm! I can't wait to taste that turkey dinner tomorrow!"
"So, Joseph and Mary have to lay their Baby Jesus in a feeding trough. Well, I'm sorry to hear that. Life is rough. Hey! I better get a new mattress this Christmas! I've had enough of sleeping on this lumpy thing..."
Jesus is coming that we might be set free from the tyranny of our fallen, selfish nature (Jn 8:32). Jesus is coming that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for Him (2 Cor 5:15). Jesus will set us free from the tunnel vision of our own desires, and will give us a shining, new vision of His glorious kingdom.
Jesus is coming to give us a new mother, Mary, who set aside her plans and received Him with tenderness and love (Lk 1:38). He has given us Mary to replace our old mother, Eve, who ignored God and satisfied her own desires.
"Wait a minute...'Here I am living in a house of cedar' (2 Sm 7:2), while the Son of God lies in a barn! I'm going to church today to thank Him for coming into my world!" (see Lk 2:15-16)
Prayer: Come, Lord Jesus! "My soul longs for You" (Ps 42:2).
Promise: "The favors of the Lord I will sing forever." —Ps 89:2
Praise: "Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel because He has visited and ransomed His people" (Lk 1:68).
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 30, 2007
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