i want you (see 2 cor 12:14)
"The virgin shall be with Child, and bear a Son, and shall name Him Immanuel." —Isaiah 7:14
Christmas is Jesus' birthday, and the only birthday present He needs is the gift of our lives. The Lord owns everything, but He's given us a free will. We can choose or refuse to belong to Him.
This Christmas Jesus wants us to present ourselves to Him, not as defective merchandise but as "holy and immaculate, without stain or wrinkle or anything of that sort" (Eph 5:27). He calls us to present our "bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable" (Rm 12:1). He wants us to wish Him a "Mary" Christmas.
We will be an acceptable gift to Jesus if we do not fear (Lk 1:30), let the Holy Spirit come upon us and the power of the Most High overshadow us (Lk 1:35), and let it be done to us according to God's Word (Lk 1:38). The Lord can make us holy as He is holy (1 Pt 1:16), "for nothing is impossible with God" (Lk 1:37).
Jesus needs no gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Mt 2:11). Nonetheless, He does desire what these gifts ultimately represent: a life laid down for Him out of love. Give Him His birthday present this Christmas. He wants you.
Prayer: Jesus, I belong to You. I love You. I live for You. I am Yours.
Promise: "You shall conceive and bear a Son and give Him the name Jesus. Great will be His dignity and He will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of David His father. He will rule over the house of Jacob forever and His reign will be without end." —Lk 1:31-33
Praise: "O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at Your will the gate of heaven: come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead Your captive people into freedom."
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 17, 2013
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