To give birth, a mother must be pregnant for approximately nine months. To give birth this Christmas, a Christian must be filled with Jesus for at least a few weeks. The birth of every creature requires a pregnancy of varying duration. Have you carried the baby long enough? Have you reached full term? How far apart are the contractions? Tomorrow is birth day, Jesus' birthday. Are you ready for birthing?

Zechariah went through the nine-month pregnancy with his wife. It was a difficult pregnancy. He was deaf and dumb, and at the end of nine months was hardly any closer to bringing forth life. Yet finally he obeyed the Lord; "his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed" (Lk 1:64). He gave birth to a prophecy that has echoed throughout the ages: "Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel because He has visited and ransomed His people" (Lk 1:68).

Nathan heard about David's plan of building God a house. He went to sleep that night and woke up laboring to give birth to the greatest prophecy of the old covenant, the establishing of David's house forever (2 Sm 7:16).

You have reached the full term of Advent pregnancy. Expect to go into labor soon and deliver the prophetic Word.

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 2, 2019

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.