“o holy 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 (see Jn 3:3-5), 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: “You have been washed, consecrated, justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor 6:11). Thank You, Lord Jesus!
Reference: (Stir up the Holy Spirit in your life this Christmas. Listen to, download or order our CD 57-1 or DVD 57 titled Staying Filled with the Holy Spirit on our website.)
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 1, 2022, through January 31, 2023. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio April 12, 2022
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.