just do it?
"Which of the two did what the father wanted?" —Matthew 21:31
As we near Christmas, we mistakenly think we have so many things we need to do. Here are a few things which really must be done before Christmas:
- "Repent and believe in Him [Jesus]" (Mt 21:32).
- Do what our Father wants (Mt 21:31).
- "Go out and work in the vineyard" (Mt 21:28).
- Hear God's voice and accept correction (Zep 3:2).
- Trust in God and draw near to Him (Zep 3:2).
- Let the Lord change and purify our lips (Zep 3:9).
- "Call upon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one accord" (Zep 3:9).
The good news is that we don't have to do all that we thought we had to before Christmas. As nice as they are, we can get along without Christmas presents, parties, cards, cakes, and cookies. Mary, Joseph and Jesus did without them at the first Christmas. Even today, most of the world can't afford these niceties.
The good news is also that the to-do items listed above need not be done by our own power. Like Mary, we only must let it be done to us according to God's word (Lk 1:38).
Prayer: Father, let Your Son Jesus be Lord of my life and of my Christmas.
Promise: "I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord." —Zep 3:12
Praise: Going to Confession during Advent is a priority for Margaret.
Reference: (Resolve to give as a present to the Lord your presence at one or more of the retreats given at the Paul Jansen Discipleship Center this year. You can find a listing of all the retreats at www.presentationministries.com or call 937-587-5464 or 513-373-2397 to register or for information.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 4, 2009
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