a descending spiral
“Then why did you not put faith in it?” —Matthew 21:25
Many of the chief priests and elders did not believe in St. John the Baptizer’s baptism. Thus, they were not prepared to accept Jesus. So, they crucified Him. Many people are so ignorant of history or disobedient to God that they do not take Advent seriously. Thus, they are not prepared to meet Christ at Christmastime (see Mt 2:7-8, 12). So they miss out on Christmas.
When Christmas is a far cry from what the Lord wants it to be, then many do not have God’s mindset about Christmas. Rather, they think their mediocre, watered-down Christmas is the true meaning of Christmas. With this view of Christmas, they do not expect much for the next Christmas. Therefore, they see little need for Advent, since things that do not mean much (like such a view of Christmas) do not need much preparation. Thus they have another poor Advent, leading to another substandard Christmas, leading to a poorer Advent and Christmas next year, etc.
Are you in a descending spiral of Advents and Christmases? This is very bad for your life, death, and afterlife. Throw your heart into Advent now before you miss out on Christmas again.
Prayer: Father, give me Your level of Advent.
Promise: “A Star shall advance from Jacob, and a Staff shall rise from Israel.” —Nm 24:17
Praise: Karen resolved to pray for the Pope and bishops rather than criticize them.
Reference: (To get out of a descending spiral, learn more about the Bible. Listen to, download or order the following series on our website: Overview of the Bible is six CDs starting with AV 10A-1 or three DVDs starting with V-10A. An Introduction to each Book of the Bible is thirty-two CDs starting with AV 21-1 or seventeen DVDs starting with V-21.)
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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.