"o <u>holy</u> night"
"If you consider the holiness that is His, you can be sure that everyone who acts in holiness has been begotten by Him." —1 John 2:29
One of the main purposes of the Christmas season is to grow in holiness — to become more like God, to take on God's character. This holy Christmas time begins a holy year in a holy life, which begins a holy, eternal life. The Lord has created us to be holy as He is holy (see 1 Jn 3:3), to be "perfect in holiness" (1 Thes 5:23). We should "hunger and thirst for holiness" (Mt 5:6) and seek first God's way of holiness (Mt 6:33). We must strive "for that holiness without which no one can see the Lord" (Heb 12:14).
The Lord expects "perfect" holiness from us because He has given us the power to become holy. Because we have been begotten by Him, that is, born again, by faith and baptism, we have a new nature by which we can live a holy life (1 Jn 2:29). Even if we fall into temptation and live according to our old sinful nature, we can repent and be washed clean in Jesus' blood. Finally, the Father and the Son have given us the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, Who makes us holy. Because of new life in the waters of baptism, forgiveness through Jesus' blood shed on Calvary, and the indwelling of the Spirit, the Lord expects us to be holy as He is holy. Have a holy Christmas season.
Prayer: Father, may my desire for holiness be stronger than my desire for pleasure.
Promise: "When you see the Spirit descend and rest on Someone, it is He Who is to baptize with the Holy Spirit." —Jn 1:33
Praise: "The reason [Jesus] revealed Himself was to take away sins" (1 Jn 3:5). Praise the Holy Name of Jesus!
Reference: (For related teaching, order our leaflet, Be Holy, For I Am Holy.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 30, 2014
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