recognizing the christmas spirit
"The reason the world does not recognize us is that it never recognized the Son." —1 John 3:1, NAB
If we don't recognize Christ, we don't recognize Christians, Christmas, and other dimensions of Christianity. If we don't recognize Christ, we don't recognize the only Way to God the Father and Truth Himself (Jn 14:6). Thus we would deprive ourselves of Life (Jn 14:6).
Yet, we have difficulty recognizing Christ. Even St. John the Baptist, whose purpose in life was to prepare for Christ's coming, did not recognize Christ for some time (Jn 1:31, 33). How then can we recognize Christ, Christians, Christmas, and Christianity, and thereby know God our Father, live in the Truth, and have the abundant life? (see Jn 10:10) John recognized Christ when he "saw the Spirit descend like a dove from the sky" and rest on Jesus (Jn 1:32). We too will recognize Christ by the working of the Holy Spirit. Thus, Christmas and life itself depend on our docility to the only true Christmas Spirit, the Holy Spirit.
As we draw closer to the last day of the Christmas season, when we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus in the Holy Spirit, let us repent of any resistance to God's will and cry out: "Come, Holy Spirit!"
Prayer: Father, give me the true Christmas Spirit forever.
Promise: "Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall later be has not yet come to light. We know that when it comes to light we shall be like Him." —1 Jn 3:2
Praise: Praise You, Jesus. Our God and Savior, may all heads bow, all knees bend, and all hearts rejoice at the mention of Your Holy Name. Alleluia!
Reference: (For a related teaching on Holy Spirit, Our Hope, order, download, or listen to our CD 81-3 or DVD 81 on our website.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 16, 2018
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