we wish you a humble christmas
“I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble.” —Zephaniah 3:12
Christmas is for the humble. The Lord has promised: “Then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts...I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly” (Zep 3:11, 12). Christmas is “hidden from the learned and the clever” and revealed to the smallest children (Lk 10:21). Christmas is the exaltation promised by the Lord of those who have humbled themselves (Mt 23:12).
Therefore, learn from Jesus, Who is “gentle and humble of heart” (Mt 11:29). Follow His example and humble yourself, obediently accepting even the cross of suffering (see Phil 2:8). Pray with Mary: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38, RNAB). Proclaim with Paul: “I have been crucified with Christ, and the life I live now is not my own” (Gal 2:19-20). With the wise men and women of all times, humbly prostrate yourself before the Baby Jesus (Mt 2:11).
Christmas is for the humble. The proud don’t fit in the manger scene. Humble yourself by repenting, apologizing, simplifying, serving, suffering, obeying, dying to self, and worshiping. This Christmas, clothe yourself with humility (1 Pt 5:5).
Prayer: Father, may my love for Jesus spark in me a strong desire to be humble as He is.
Promise: “They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; they shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.” —Zep 3:13
Praise: St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila were friends and they worked to reform the Carmelite Order. John was put in prison and died in a dungeon, but not before he wrote beautiful reflections on the cross.
Reference:
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from December 01/2021 through January 31, 2022 Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio May 5, 2021"
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.