the jumping, singing god
"He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in His love. He will sing joyfully because of you." —Zephaniah 3:17
Yesterday we heard of King Ahaz wearying God (Is 7:13). Today we picture God "springing across the mountains, leaping across the hills" (Sg 2:8), and breaking out into song because of us (Zep 3:17). We can (so to speak) make God jubilant or sad.
The purpose of Christmas is not for us to be happy; rather, it is for us to make God happy, even jubilant. It's not what we "get for Christmas," but what God "gets for Christmas." We give God what He wants and make Him happy by giving Him ourselves, our lives, and our love, and by inviting others to do the same.
Then, when God sees you singing Christmas carols, He will want to sing along with you and sing because of you. Consequently, give your life and love to Him totally and ever more deeply. With docility, receive the only true Christmas Spirit: the Holy Spirit. Rejoice in the Spirit and with the Spirit.
Prayer: Father, may I make You jump for joy.
Promise: "Blest is she who trusted that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled." —Lk 1:45
Praise: "O Radiant Dawn, Splendor of eternal light, Sun of Justice: Come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death."
Reference: (Give God a gift of reading His book, the Bible, every day. We have several series to help you. Overview of the Bible is six CDs starting with CD 10 A-1. 15 Minute Bible Teaching-New Testament is forty CDs starting with CD 700. An Introduction to each Book of the Bible is 32 CDs starting with CD 21-1 or 17 DVDs starting with DVD-21.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 16, 2018
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