#Prophesy of the Birth of Jesus as God

[jefferisp7]

Mighty God, Everlasting Father

This excerpt is a tag-team sermon with Gary Fine. To see the entire message, visit Wimberley Christian Church Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.  Isaiah 7:14   For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful…

[justjudethoughts]

Everyone's always like "mythology disproves Christianity." No!!!! Mythology proves that our God is a God of stories, of details, of intentionality. Everyone is so hung up on "every culture has a story of the dying and rising god/a virgin birth, etc. etc" but that's just it. Every culture has it, because somewhere, somewhen, it was true. Mythology is simply a reminder that God fashioned for us a language that we are all born knowing— a religious language, a language of the sacred. It's the reason so many cultures view bread as something sacred and use incense in their worship. Christ did not become man to unteach us "pagan" vocabulary. The vocabulary was never pagan to begin with! It was, and is, human. Christ became man, took on flesh, and spoke the language we were all born knowing: the language of mythos and sacred rituals, of prayers and of liturgy.

Do you think Jesus did not intimately know the world He entered? Do you think He didn't know the stories of Dionysus? Or the surprisingly Christocentric imagery associated with Apollo? Do you think He did not watch Virgil pen his fourth ecologue, in which he prophesies the coming of a baby, a redeemer? Do you think the all-knowing, all-powerful God who crafted Virgil's soul with his own hands didn't know that?

Mythology reminds us that God wrote the story. That He etched into the very marrow of our bones the language we need to know Him. When He came, He came in a way that was unexpected. But it was the way we would best recognize Him.

[thewordfortheday]

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given…” —Isaiah 9:6

Before Jesus was born, Isaiah prophesied of His birth. Isaiah lived about 700 years before Christ. This prophecy was fulfilled in the most amazing way. This glorious King, the Messiah, came as a little child: to us a child is born. He who was for eternity, the Son of God, was given to us as a little Baby in Bethlehem. As we worship Him this Christmas, may our celebrations be filled with joy and wonder at the fullness of what it means -  our heavenly Father has given us His only begotten Son, and whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. 

Father, thank You for not just sending, but giving Your Son to us. He is the most wonderful gift of all!

[christianbelievers]

OCCUPYING UNTIL HE COMES

“Occupy till I come.”

(Luke 19:13 KJV)

As we wait for the Lord to return, some of us may be wondering, “What should I be doing until He comes?” It’s a good question, one that every Christian should ask themselves.

God has given each of us a gift, or gifts, that we can use to further His Kingdom.  The Apostle Paul wrote much in his letters concerning these things. He wrote two letters to the Church in Thessalonica. In his first one, he wrote to them about the 1st resurrection of the dead which will happen just before, and coinciding with, the rapture of the Church. (1st Thess. 4:16-17) Paul concludes his letter by teaching them what they should do while they wait for the Lord’s return…

“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.” (1st Thessalonians 5:14-22)

Today a lot of Christians use the term “occupy” to describe our duty as we wait for the Lord. I believe they get this from Luke’s Gospel, in chapter 19, when using the King James Version of the Bible. In that chapter Jesus tells the Parable of the Ten Minas. In the second and third verses we read…

“A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” (Luke 19:12-13)

In the (NIV) New International Version of the Bible it reads…

"A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.” (Luke 19:12-13)

Occupy – Strongs definition: to busy oneself with, that is, to trade: - occupy. (G4231)

In the parable, Jesus (the Nobleman) gave his servants money to use for increasing his profits until he returned. In the case of the Christian, we are to put our “spiritual gifts” to work until Jesus’ return. The commentaries that I looked at, John Gills, Matthew Henry’s and others, all agreed with this view. In Romans, Paul taught…

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:6-8)

Knowing this, let’s go back to what Paul wrote to the Thessalonians.

“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.”

(1st Thessalonians 5:14-22)

“Warn those who are idle and disruptive” – John Gill wrote this concerning those who are disruptive… “Such who are contentious and quarrelsome, turbulent, headstrong, and unruly, that cause and foment animosities and divisions.”

“Warn” is a strong word, but there are cases when it is applicable, and necessary. False teachers are where I see this “warning” most needed. But in the average Christian circles it might be more of a differing opinion on something that the Bible teaches. The best place to start is always with the Scripture in question. Look at it in the context that it is written. Look into the Greek and Hebrew meanings of any words that might be causing the problem. When you’ve done all that you can do, pray about it, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you best discern the passages meaning.

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13)

If a time arises when people become contentious about certain teachings, then it might be best to take the advice that Paul gave to Titus…

“Avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.” (Titus 3:9-11)

Concerning those who are idle, they can always be asked to pray for others. But if they have a spiritual gift given to them by God, it’s probably best to learn what that gift may be. Again, they should pray about it, and read what the Bible says about the different gifts. This should help someone see what gifts most represent their own qualities and talents. Advice: Start slowly, because God may have other plans for you. Always be open to what He wants you to do, and not only what “you” want to do.

If you know someone that seems idle, and not sure what they should be doing, ask God to open doors for them, and to give them spiritual eyes to see what His plans are for that person.

“Encourage the disheartened” – To these, John Gill suggests “speak a comfortable word to them, encourage them with the doctrines of grace, and the promises of the Gospel.”

Gill described who these “disheartened” or “feebleminded” (KJV) people are… “such as are not able to bear the loss of near and dear relations; are ready to stagger under the cross, and at the reproaches and persecutions of the world; and are almost overset with the temptations of Satan; and are borne down and discouraged with the corruptions of their hearts.”

Today the level of persecution is rising, for the Jew’s, and the Christians. And there will be many who may need a word of encouragement from time to time. And the “temptations of Satan” will increase also, causing many to stumble. Again, as Gill said before “encourage them with the doctrines of grace, and the promises of the Gospel.” Remind those who are in Christ that there is no longer any condemnation for them. (Romans 8:1)

“Help the weak” – The weak are those who may be new in their faith. Trusting in God can be hard at times for even the most mature Christians. Keep them close in your heart, prayers, and even physically. Spend time helping them to understand the things which are new to them. We live in a very tough world right now, and Christian mentors are needed more than ever.

“Be patient with everyone” – John Gill – “exercise longsuffering and forbearance with fellow creatures and fellow Christians.”

Many people have trouble giving up old habits. Some of those might include sticking to teachings they had been taught years ago, but are not Scriptural. With so many different denominations in the world, it’s easy to get tossed back and forth on the differing waves of bad doctrine. So we must be patient with people who have come out of them. We have to remember that we are no better than they, and that at one time we were some pretty bad sinners ourselves, totally lost on the things of God. The Holy Spirit will be the best teacher for many who are still babes in Christ.

Paul goes on to say, “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”

Here he reminds us to watch out for those who might wrong us, either unbelievers or carnal Christians. A carnal Christian is one who is saved, but still acts in the flesh at times. Another name for them might be “immature” Christians.

Because of these wrongs that have been done to us, we must be patient and not looking to even the score. Instead we must pray for them, that God would help them to see the error of their ways. We are to show these people the same grace that God has shown to us. I love what Jesus said one time…

“If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent.” (Matthew 12:7)

Interestingly, He was talking to the Pharisees. There are some Christians that tend to be like the Pharisees, having a “legalistic” view of things, and condemning those who don’t “act” the way they should. I think many of us have walked that path before, myself included. When we learn something new, we might tend to show others the error of their ways, thinking that we’re doing them a favor. If we’re not careful we can be a stumbling block to a new Believer. The Apostle Peter wrote something that I try to remember, concerning “anyone” who disagrees with us…

“But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1st Peter 3:14-17)

“Always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”

Paul, to the Galatians…

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:9-10)

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.” (1st Thess. 5:16-22)

Let us all continue to “rejoice always” because of our great Salvation. No matter what happens to a Believer from this point on, no one can ever take away their gift of God’s Salvation. Our enemy has already been defeated. There is nothing that he can do to us outside of God’s Will for our lives. Our eternity is secure. Rejoice!

One of the most important things that I’ve learned in my walk with God, is that He loves to commune with us. Our prayer time is more special than we can ever imagine at this time. It reminds me of a scene from the movie “The Gospel of John”. It starts out where Nathaniel is praying under a fig tree behind his home. When Jesus is nearly to Nathaniels home…

“Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip.

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit." "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."

Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel." Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that." He then added, "Very truly I tell you, you will see 'heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on' the Son of Man." (John 1:45-51)

I think that scene is my favorite from the whole movie. The look in Nathaniels eyes is amazing when Jesus says to him, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

“Praying continually” is the best way to grow closer to God, and become more like his Son Jesus. Are you curious what God is thinking when you talk to Him? Sometimes, I’ll bet it’s something like “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21)

“Give thanks in all circumstances” – There is good reason to give thanks to God in all circumstances…

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

“Do not quench the Spirit”

What exactly is quenching the Spirit? It basically means extinguishing, or putting out, as in putting out a fire. We quench the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, by doing things that diminish how we look to the unsaved world. Jesus taught on this very thing…

"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you." (Luke 11:33-36)

What are some things that might quench the Spirit of Christ in us? There are some that we often do without even realizing it. One of those is gossiping. In the Book of James, we can see why gossiping can be so wrong…

“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness.” (James 3:6,9)

That’s a sobering thought…to “curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.”

Paul pointed out several things that can quench the Spirit…

“For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.” (2nd Corinthians 12:20)

Those words are written by Paul, but inspired through the Holy Spirit. Paul did not want to return to Corinth and find them acting in this manner. We should be thinking the same about Jesus’ return. Love is one of God’s greatest gifts. Walking in it will help us to avoid doing anything outside the Will of God, including all the things listed above.

“Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all”

This is a great exhortation, but one that is missing from many pulpits today. But without prophecies none of us would have any hope for the future, because Heaven itself is a fulfillment of prophecy.

Much of what it happening in the world right now, especially concerning Israel, was all foretold in the Scriptures. That’s what prophecy is, the foretelling of future events. Psalm 83 is a very good example, as it closely describes what is happening to Israel right now.

Sadly, most people have no idea what’s happening in the world. Most assume it’s “just life happening”. But if they understood the truth, many would be preparing for these things, including the Lord’s return. (1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 5:1-11) Prophecy is not just for preparing, it’s also for warnings. These things should prompt us to share what we know with others. Not just the Gospel, but also the prophecies concerning the end times.

So, as it says above concerning prophecies… “test them all”. Study them. Ask God to help you discern what you’re reading, and what you’re seeing in the world. By doing so you will begin to see the world through God’s eyes, including the plans that He has for each of us.

Finally, “hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil”. I have a passage that will help along these lines.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)

God Bless!

[glitterdragonthegreatprotector]

Junior is such a good boy! Perfect little half alien, half human child. I love the fact that he canonically went to a human school and was on a human kids basketball team despite being almost twice the size of his fellow students. He and his human dad are also ambassadors to Sanghilios so it does make me wonder what Thal would think of this weird little half human dude who is the subject of a Great Propecy Of Peace.

I remember reading part of a comic I stumbled on in the Sangheili tag by @/billfinarts. Their art is amazing, and I love how they draw Sangheili.

From what I know vaguely about the lore tho (both halo and red n blue), Thel would probably be a little freaked out over the fact junior was born via parasitic birth-

Because Sangheili are laid in clutches of eggs and put in incubators from what I remember. So a Sangheili being born like that would probably be very "??!!!?!" To him.

Not even "wtf" he'd just make SOUNDS-

Thel is also already going through a religious crisis, so Impossible Sangheili Human Hybrid would probably be the equivalent of the Baby Jesus except not only was the birth impossible, the fact its part of a prophesy he never heard of would confirm there are gods that he didn't know existed, and they might actually be real if something that biologically impossible could happen.

If red vs blue existed within the same canon as halo, Tucker would probably be like the Virgin Mary.

... as of writing, the pun hit me harder than a gravity hammer... Tucker is...

The Holy Host.

I fear I am a horrible human being.

[psalmonesermons]

Why be born again Part 3

The dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus continues: John 3:5-17

John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

v5 This is not about baptism. The Greek word for both spirit and wind is the same word (pneuma). As a Pharisee, Nicodemus’ mind would begin to turn towards Exodus 14:21 (the Exodus) when the strong wind dried up the red sea and made a path to allow the children of Israel to walk into the promised land. God had to do a miracle with the wind and the water.

Israel in a sense, was reborn at this moment. Nicodemus was beginning to understand the direction of Jesus as he spoke about the wind and the water.

Born of water and the spirit.

Water has 3 main pictures in the bible:

1.the Gospel-see Isaiah 55

2. Word of God Eph 5:26

3. Holy Spirit John 7:37-39

In v5 its meaning is the water as the word of God.

v6 Our bodies are not suitable for heaven- we will receive a spiritual (resurrection) body in heaven. Theology is flesh, Truth is spirit.

v.7-8 Nicodemus is shocked! Jesus uses the illustration of the wind. No person knows where it begins or ends but we can clearly see and/or hear its effects, but we know it is real.

The new birth is as real as the wind! The effects are felt internally.

9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”

10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.

v9 Nicodemus is shocked and cannot grasp what Jesus is telling him.

v10 Jesus suggests to Nicodemus that as the top religious person in Israel he ought to have deduced these things from the scripture.

v11 When Jesus says ‘we’ here he means himself and the Holy Spirit are witnessing to Nicodemus, but he still does not get it.

v12 Jesus says that if Nicodemus cannot receive earthly truth in his soul, then how much less can he receive heavenly truth in his spirit.

v13 Jesus prophesies that he will shortly ascend to heaven after his resurrection.

Jesus now continues talking to Nicodemus right though v14-21.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

v14-17 Jesus now preaches his wonderful Gospel message. Although most Christians know the verse John 3:16, few realise it was part of Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus.

In Part 4 we will discuss whether or not Nicodemus became a believer in Jesus Christ and also learn how we can bring the message of the new birth to the unbelievers we meet in life.

[lostmymarblesstuff]

I will be tagging things that don’t relate with this post because I feel this needs to be talked about. If you dont want to read it; you dont like it? Dont read. Don’t complain.

The New Testament may be being banned.

Keep calling us crazy, saying we believe in fairy tales, but most of Jesus’s Prophesies are coming true.

Christians will be mocked, hated, killed, this is the sign of the end times coming. Keep your faith, and if you don’t believe in Jesus, I urge you to turn to him. No matter your race, gender, sexuality, etc, you will always be loved by him. You’re never too bad or too sinful to be a Christian , or to be loved by God.

“If the World hates you, know that it hated me first.”

“Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains”

“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

10Then He told them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.”

Theres so many things as signs of the end times, i cant put them all.

and finally, one that i feel isnt talked about enough. We talked about this in school, how a few hundred years after this, i think Rome it was invaded Jews and Jerusalem, and they started destroyibg everything but when they got there all the jews were already dead. I don’t quite remember the whole story, so correct me if im wrong.

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. 21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. 22For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.

23How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! For there will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people. 24They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

[myfairkatiecat]

oh wise adult what is the difference between a Christianity and Cathlotics omg help pls my family (my moms side) (and they're super strict) IDK WHAT TO CALL THEM IM AFRAID OF OFFENDING THEM OGM

No problem!

Christianity is an umbrella term for people who believe in the holy trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit), believe Jesus of Nazareth is the son of God and the prophesied Messiah, and use the Bible as sacred texts.

Catholicism is a denomination of Christianity. Each denomination has slightly differing beliefs. For example, Baptists don’t believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, but rather see communion as an act of remembrance. Catholics, on the other hand, believe in transubstantiation (the bread and wine BECOME the body and blood by divine intervention.) Catholics hold certain beliefs that not every denomination may hold, such as believe in the immaculate conception (Mary was born without original sin) and the perpetual virginity of Mary (the idea that Mary was always a virgin, even after she gave birth to Jesus). I grew up United Methodist (another Christian denomination), so a few of these beliefs were challenging for me as I transitioned to Catholicism!

There are lots of forms of Christianity. The core beliefs that separate Christians from other religions are found in the apostle’s creed, which (unless I’m wrong) is a near-universal affirmation of faith across denominations (Catholics use the nicene creed, which is a lot of the same stuff but more specific). When the apostle’s creed says “catholic church,” it means unified church, rather than Catholic as in the denomination.

The Roman Catholic Church traces its origins all the way back to the time of the disciples, with the belief being that Peter was appointed the first pope by Jesus and through apostolic succession, this role has been passed down through generations all the way to today’s current pope. Catholics have many ancient traditions because they are one of the oldest forms of Christianity, alongside Greek Orthodox.

The easiest way to understand it is the square-rectangle example: a Catholic is a Christian, but not every Christian is a Catholic.

I really hope that helps!

[albertfinch]

INSTRUMENTAL IN REVEALING THE GLORY OF GOD

"And we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body." (Romans 8:22-23) The creation is releasing a groan, which is not a word but the SOUND of a spiritual birth. This SOUND is echoed in us as we yearn for the revelation of the glory of God. We are like instruments that resonate with the sound coming from heaven--the approaching rule of the King of Kings.

It is a SOUND which speaks and reveals knowledge to those with ears to hear. Now it should be no surprise God would clothe His mystery in sound. God speaks through creation and through redeemed man.

THE WORD OF GOD IS A PLUMB LINE

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their LINE has gone out through all the earth and their words to the end of the world." (Psalms 19:1-4a)

"The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance." (Psalms 16:6)

The word "line" has been translated as "sound".

There is something about the sound of the Lord that brings order. It is a plumb line that makes every other command and authority seem pointless and insignificant. When soldiers were sent to arrest Jesus, they returned without Him. Their response was, "No one had ever spoken like this before." The sound of true authority is more powerful than that which would try to arrest it. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness is not able to overcome it. (John 1:5) When the sound of Heaven comes, it instinctively trumps every other sound.

The knowledge of the glory of God is the invisible power center of the Kingdom of God. The question is, "What does it look like, and what does it SOUND like?" It is important to distinguish that we are not speaking only of language, that is, words and phrases. These are organized to speak to the intellect of man. Rather, spiritual sound only becomes words and phrases in its final form. This is why one can prophesy on the drums and why musicians understand that instruments speak, though they never use words. If we are to receive and function with God, who is spirit, we must appreciate the way in which He speaks.

GOD USES SOUND

Sound is a chief ingredient in the things God builds. When He builds, He does not use brick and mortar, He uses sound. Again, sound was used to assemble the creation. "Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light." (Genesis 1:3) Today, when God builds, He continues to do so using sound. When He determines to do something, He begins by "calling those things which are not as though they were." Thus, sound is instrumental in revealing the glory of God. At this time in particular, our hearts are being drawn to the sound of the Lord. Jesus said, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8) The wind is known by its SOUND, and by its effect. Whenever the Spirit moves there is a spiritual SOUND coming from the spirit realm.

Today the believing community is growing in the capacity to release His sound. More and more clarity is emerging, helping us define what it is to walk in the authority of the Spirit. We have begun to understand it is not a matter of formulas, nor is it a matter of "correct words", but it is a spiritual sound aligning with the heart and nature of God.  "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." (1 Corinthians 4:20)

ALBERT FINCH MINISTRY

[jesusmyking2024]

I prophesy that the winds of transformation are beginning to blow in your life! The Lord is sending a mighty, supernatural gust that will sweep away every hindrance and blockade. No matter how entrenched your challenges have been its illness, financial lack, or spiritual dryness they are being uprooted and cast aside by the power of God's breath. I declare that a new day is dawning! The wind of the Holy Spirit is not just bringing change but divine alignment with God's promises. This wind carries healing for your body, clarity for your mind, and peace for your soul. It is a wind of revival, awakening new hope, and birthing fresh vision and purpose. Every plan of the enemy is being scattered like chaff in the wind, and every seed of doubt and despair is being uprooted. The Lord is pouring out His grace and mercy, restoring what was lost and renewing your strength. Miracles are being released, and what seemed dead is coming to life with new vigor and vitality. Lift your hands and receive this wind of transformation, for it is filled with blessings, breakthroughs, and divine favor. This is your appointed time for renewal and restoration. In Jesus' mighty name, walk into the fullness of your destiny with confidence and boldness, for the Lord has spoken, and His word will not return void. Amen!

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

QUESTION: Did Jesus talk with Moses from the burning bush?

ANSWER: Well, my dear friend, I want to be careful how I answer this good question. Our Lord Jesus Christ is in fact part of the Godhead, God the Son. So, in a very real sense, the Lord Jesus is involved in all the activities of God, being Himself God. As you probably know, Jesus is the name of God the Son that was given to Joseph by the angel of the Lord at the time prior to the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1:21-23). The name “Jesus” means “Jehovah the Savior”, and the term “Emmanuel” means “God with us.” Our Lord Jesus is in fact God the Son, and is part of the Trinity, co-equal with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. In John 1:1-3 (JND), we read: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things received being through him, and without him not one thing received being which has received being.” Going on in John 1:10 (JND) we read: “He was in the world, and the world had its being through him….” Then in John 1:14 we read: “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we have contemplated His glory, a glory as of an only-begotten with a father), full of grace and truth….” Thus, we see that the Lord Jesus is true God as well as true Man, and He was with the Father from before the foundation of the world, and it was by His very voice that creation came into being (see also Colossians 1, Hebrews 1, and Ephesians 1). However, while in the NT we know Him as the Lord Jesus, in the OT, we do not see the specific name “Jesus,” but rather we see one of several names by which God makes Himself known, of which Christ Jesus is one of the three persons of the Godhead.

But now, let’s consider the names for God in the OT verses relating to your question. Using the JND translation of the Bible, we read in Exodus 3:2-4: “And the Angel of Jehovah appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a thorn-bush…And Jehovah saw that he turned aside to see, and God called to him out of the midst of the thorn-bush…!” In verses 2 and 4, we see the name “Jehovah,” which means “the self-existent One”, the great I Am.” The second use of “God” in verse 4 is “Elohim,” and in the Hebrew, this term is plural, but this word generally points to the God of creation, and we know that the Lord Jesus, as God the Son, acted in creating and in sustaining all things. According to the Morrish Bible Dictionary defining the word “God,” we read that the translation of God in Isaiah 9:6 is “El, 'the strong or mighty one’,” and we know that this verse is a specific prophesy of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. That verse says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Finally, we do find NT verses that specifically identify the actions of Christ in certain OT portions of Scripture, such as 1 Corinthians 10:4, where we read: “…and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.“ According to the MacDonald Bible Commentary, this verse is explained as follows: ”All through their journeyings, God wonderfully provided water for them to drink. It was real water, but again it is called spiritual drink in the sense that it was typical of spiritual refreshment, and miraculously provided. They would have died from thirst many times had not the Lord given them this water in a miraculous way. The expression they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them does not mean that a literal, material rock journeyed behind them as they traveled. The Rock signifies the river that flowed from it and followed the Israelites. That Rock was Christ in the sense that He was the One who provided it and the One it represents, providing living water to His people.”

So, in summary, I believe that there is divine purpose in the names for God that the Holy Spirit inspired godly men to use when the Scriptures were given to us. I would therefore generally not be comfortable in identifying one of the persons of the Godhead over the others in OT verses, but rather would go with the names for God that the Holy Spirit has given us, even though we know that Christ is one of the persons of the Godhead.

Answers From the Book

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

1st September >> Mass Readings (USA)

Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)

(Liturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II))

First Reading Deuteronomy 4:1–2, 6–8 You shall not add to what I command you.… Keep the commands of the Lord.

Moses said to the people: “Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. In your observance of the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I enjoin upon you, you shall not add to what I command you nor subtract from it. Observe them carefully, for thus will you give evidence of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations, who will hear of all these statutes and say, ‘This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.’ For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has statutes and decrees that are as just as this whole law which I am setting before you today?”

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 15:2–3, 3–4, 4–5

R/ The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Whoever walks blamelessly and does justice; who thinks the truth in his heart and slanders not with his tongue.

R/ The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Who harms not his fellow man, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor; by whom the reprobate is despised, while he honors those who fear the LORD.

R/ The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Who lends not his money at usury and accepts no bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things shall never be disturbed.

R/ The one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.

Second Reading James 1:17–18, 21b–22, 27 Be doers of the word.

Dearest brothers and sisters: All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change. He willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation James 1:18

Alleluia, alleluia. The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth that we may be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mark 7:1–8, 14–15, 21–23 You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.

When the Pharisees with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus, they observed that some of his disciples ate their meals with unclean, that is, unwashed, hands. —For the Pharisees and, in fact, all Jews, do not eat without carefully washing their hands, keeping the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without purifying themselves. And there are many other things that they have traditionally observed, the purification of cups and jugs and kettles and beds.— So the Pharisees and scribes questioned him, “Why do your disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but instead eat a meal with unclean hands?” He responded, “Well did Isaiah prophesy about you hypocrites, as it is written:

This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines human precepts.

You disregard God’s commandment but cling to human tradition.” He summoned the crowd again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile. “From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly. All these evils come from within and they defile.”

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[orthodoxadventure]

Today we celebrate the memory of those things that contributed, if only once, to the Incarnation. He Who is God by nature, the Co-unoriginate and Coeternal Word and Son of the Transcendent Father, becomes the Son of Man, the Son of the Ever-Virgin. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8), immutable in His divinity and blameless in His humanity, He alone, as the Prophet Isaiah prophesied, “practiced no iniquity, nor deceit with His lips” (Is. 53: 9). He alone was not brought forth in iniquity, nor was He conceived in sin, in contrast to what the Prophet David says concerning himself and every other man (Ps. 50/51: 5). Even in what He assumes, He is perfectly pure and has no need to be cleansed Himself. But for our sake, He accepted purification, suffering, death and resurrection, that He might transmit them to us.

God is born of the spotless and Holy Virgin, or better to say, of the Most Pure and All-Holy Virgin. She is above every fleshly defilement, and even above every impure thought. Her conceiving resulted not from fleshly lust, but by the overshadowing of the Most Holy Spirit. Such desire being utterly alien to Her, it is through prayer and spiritual readiness that She declared to the angel: “Behold the handmaiden of the Lord; be it unto Me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38), and that She conceived and gave birth. So, in order to render the Virgin worthy of this sublime purpose, God marked this ever-virgin Daughter now praised by us, from before the ages, and from eternity, choosing Her from out of His elect.

-- Saint Gregory Palamas

[thepastisalreadywritten]

The Catholic Church celebrates today the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary on its traditional fixed date of September 8, nine months after the December 8 celebration of her Immaculate Conception as the child of Saints Joachim and Anne.

The circumstances of the Virgin Mary's infancy and early life are not directly recorded in the Bible.

However, other documents and traditions describing the circumstances of her birth are cited by some of the earliest Christian writers from the first centuries of the Church.

These accounts, although not considered authoritative in the same manner as the Bible, outline some of the Church's traditional beliefs about the birth of Mary.

The “Protoevangelium of James,” which was probably put into its final written form in the early second century, describes Mary's father Joachim as a wealthy member of one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

Joachim was deeply grieved, along with his wife Anne, by their childlessness.

“He called to mind Abraham,” the early Christian writing says, “that in the last day God gave him a son Isaac.”

Joachim and Anne began to devote themselves extensively and rigorously to prayer and fasting, initially wondering whether their inability to conceive a child might signify God's displeasure with them.

As it turned out, however, the couple were to be blessed even more abundantly than Abraham and Sarah, as an angel revealed to Anne when he appeared to her and prophesied that all generations would honor their future child:

“The Lord has heard your prayer, and you shall conceive, and shall bring forth, and your seed shall be spoken of in all the world.”

After Mary's birth, according to the Protoevangelium of James, Anne “made a sanctuary in the infant girl's room and allowed nothing common or unclean” on account of the special holiness of the child.

The same writing records that when she was one year old, her father “made a great feast and invited the priests, the scribes, the elders, and all the people of Israel.”

“And Joachim brought the child to the priests,” the account continues, “and they blessed her," saying:

'O God of our fathers, bless this child, and give her an everlasting name to be named in all generations' . . .

And he brought her to the chief priests, and they blessed her, saying:

'O God most high, look upon this child, and bless her with the utmost blessing, which shall be for ever.'”

The protoevangelium goes on to describe how Mary's parents, along with the temple priests, subsequently decided that she would be offered to God as a consecrated Virgin for the rest of her life and enter a chaste marriage with the carpenter Joseph.

Saint Augustine described the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary as an event of cosmic and historic significance, and an appropriate prelude to the birth of Jesus Christ.

“She is the flower of the field from whom bloomed the precious lily of the valley,” he said.

The fourth-century bishop, whose theology profoundly shaped the Western Church's understanding of sin and human nature, affirmed that “through her birth, the nature inherited from our first parents is changed."

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&Reading; Sunday, July 7, 2024

june 24_july 7

THE NATIVITY OF THE HOLY FORERUNNER AND BAPTIST OF THE LORD, JOHN

The Nativity of the Holy Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, John: The Gospel (Luke. 1: 5) relates that the righteous parents of Saint John the Baptist, the Priest Zachariah and Elizabeth (September 5), lived in the ancient city of Hebron. They reached old age without having children, since Elizabeth was barren. Once, Saint Zachariah was serving in the Temple at Jerusalem and saw the Archangel Gabriel, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. He predicted that Saint Zachariah would father a son, who would announce the Savior, the Messiah, awaited by the Old Testament Church. Zachariah was troubled, and fear fell upon him. He had doubts that in old age it was possible to have a son, and he asked for a sign. It was given to him, and it was also a chastisement for his unbelief. Zachariah was struck speechless until the time of the fulfillment of the archangel’s words.

Saint Elizabeth came to be with child, and fearing derision at being pregnant so late in life, she kept it secret for five months. Then her relative, the Virgin Mary, came to share with her Her own joy. Elizabeth, “filled with the Holy Spirit,” was the first to greet the Virgin Mary as the Mother of God. Saint John leaped in his mother’s womb at the visit of the Most Holy Virgin Mary and the Son of God incarnate within Her.

Soon Saint Elizabeth gave birth to a son, and all the relatives and acquaintances rejoiced together with her. On the eighth day, in accordance with the Law of Moses, he was circumcised and was called John. Everyone was amazed, since no one in the family had this name. When they asked Saint Zachariah about this, he motioned for a tablet and wrote on it: “His name is John.” Immediately his tongue was loosed, and Saint Zachariah glorified God. He also prophesied about the Coming into the world of the Messiah, and of his own son John, the Forerunner of the Lord (Luke. 1: 68-79).

After the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ and the worship of the shepherds and the Magi, wicked king Herod gave orders to kill all male infants. Hearing about this, Saint Elizabeth fled into the wilderness and hid in a cave. Saint Zachariah was at Jerusalem and was doing his priestly service in the Temple. Herod sent soldiers to him to find out the abode of the infant John and his mother. Zachariah answered that their whereabouts were unknown to him, and he was killed right there in the Temple. Righteous Elizabeth continued to live in the wilderness with her son and she died there. The child John, protected by an angel, dwelt in the wilderness until the time when he came preaching repentance, and was accounted worthy to baptize the Lord.

THE HOLY MARTYRS MANUEL, SABEL AND ISMAEL OF PERSIA (362)

The Holy Martyrs Manuel, Sabel and Ismael, brothers by birth, were descended from an illustrious Persian family. Their father was a pagan, but their mother was a Christian, who baptized the children and raised them with a firm faith in Christ the Savior.

When they reached adulthood, the brothers entered military service. Representing the Persian King Alamundar, they were his emissaries in concluding a peace treaty with Emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363). Julian received them with due honor and showed them his favor. However, when the brothers refused to take part in a pagan sacrifice, Julian became angry. He annulled the treaty and incarcerated the ambassadors of a foreign country like common criminals.

At the interrogation he told them that if they scorned the "gods" he worshipped, it would be impossible to reach any peace or accord between the two sides. The holy brothers answered that they were sent as emissaries of their King on matters of state, and not to argue about “gods.” Seeing their firmness of faith, the Emperor ordered the brothers to be tortured.

The hands and feet of the Holy Martyrs were nailed to trees. Later, they drove iron spikes into their heads, and wedged sharp splinters under their fingernails and toenails. During their torments, the Saints glorified God and prayed as though they did not feel the tortures.

Finally, the Holy Martyrs were beheaded, and Julian ordered their bodies to be burned. Suddenly, there was an earthquake. The ground opened up and the bodies of the Saints disappeared into the abyss. After Christians prayed fervently for two days, the earth gave up the bodies of the holy brothers, from which a sweet fragrance issued forth. Many of the pagans who had witnessed the miracle, came to believe in Christ and were baptized. This was in the year 362.

Christians reverently buried the bodies of the Holy Martyrs Manuel, Sabel and Ismael. Since that time the relics of the Holy Passion-Bearers have been glorified with miracles.

The following year, when he heard about the murder of his emissaries, and that Julian was marching against him with a vast army, the Persian King Alamundar mustered his army and started for the border of his domain. The Persians vanquished the Greeks in a great battle.

At this time, Saint Basil the Great (January 1) was praying before an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, upon which Saint Merkourios (November 24)1 was depicted as a soldier holding a spear. He asked God not to allow Emperor Julian to return from his war against the Persians, and resume his oppression of Christians. Suddenly, the image of the Holy Great Martyr Merkourios on the icon, next to the image of the Most Holy Theotokos, became invisible. Later, the image of Saint Merkourios reappeared with a bloodied spear.

As it happened, Julian was wounded by the spear of an unknown soldier, who disappeared. As he lay dying, the mortally wounded Julian cried out, “Thou hast conquered, O Galilean!”

The solemn commemoration of these saints is very ancient. In 395, thirty-three years after their death, Emperor Theodosios the Great built a church in honor of the Holy Martyrs at Constantinople, and Hieromonk Germanos (May 12), who later became the Patriarch of Constantinople, composed a Canon in honor of the holy brothers.

HEBREWS 11:33-12:2

33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented- 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

MATTHEW 10:32-33, 37-38; 19:27-3032

Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" 28 So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

[pamphletstoinspire]

Meditations of St. Padre Pio – Part 2 A

Padre Pio was at the height of his priestly apostolate with multitudes of pilgrims visiting him, for his Mass, to confess to him, and to ask him for prayers and counsel. He was a master of souls; he directed everyone with penetrating words full of deep meaning. His series of "Meditations" was the first complete text of Padre Pio's thoughts. These texts consists of Padre Pio's meditations upon the fundamental dogmas of the Catholic faith. The Immaculate Conception and the Incarnation of Jesus. He then relives Jesus' agony in the garden of olives. Next he reflects on the human condition, and on our need to turn to God in the passing of our days. These are not conventional texts; they are reflections derived from the contemplation of the absolute Truth. “Mary Immaculate” is a more theological text. The others are more human and simple.

Padre Pio, in the first years of his residence in San Giovanni Rotondo (1918 – 1920), when he was freer from the care of souls, wrote a few meditations for his novices and his spiritual daughters of the Franciscan Third Order. They were the text of his lectures or instructions that he gave weekly as their Spiritual Director. After that, between the years 1925 – 1928, Padre Pio compiled other meditations. Fr. Agostino of San Marco in Lamis affirms it in his "Diary:" The Provincial, Fr. Bernardo of Alpicella, once suggested to Padre Pio to “compile a few meditations for the principal feasts of the year for our seminarians.” When Padre Pio was shown the possibility of publishing these meditations, he said: "I have written these things for myself." But, when it was explained to him that "they would do a lot of good to our souls" he smilingly said: "if it is as you say, bonum est diffu sivum sui (good, by its nature, is destined to be spread).

First Meditation - Christmas Season

J. M. J. – D. F. C. Note: The initials J. M. J. – D. F. C. Stands for Jesus, Mary, Joseph – Dominic, Francis, Catherine

At dead of night in the harshest of seasons, in the coldest of caves, a more suitable dwelling for beasts than human beings, the promised Messiah, Jesus, the Savior of men sees the light in the fullness of time. No fuss surrounds him, an ox and an ass warm the poor newborn Infant, a lowly woman and a poor man are there by his side to adore him. No sound can be heard except the whimpering cries of the Infant God. By these cries and whimpering he offers to the divine justice the first payment for our reconciliation.

For fully forty centuries he had been expected; with desire the ancient Fathers had appealed for his coming, the sacred writers had clearly prophesied the place and time of his birth, yet all is silence around him and no one seems to be aware of this great event. Only some time later is he visited by shepherds who have been watching their flocks in the fields. They are notified of the marvelous event by heavenly spirits and invited to go to the cave where he lies.

O Christians, what lessons and how many do we receive from the cave of Bethlehem! Oh, how our hearts ought to be inflamed with love for the One who has become all tenderness for us. Oh, how we ought to burn with the desire to lead the entire world to this lowly grotto in which the King of Kings is sheltered, in a shelter finer than any royal palace since it is the throne and abode of God! Let us ask this Divine Child to clothe us with humility, for only by this virtue can we appreciate such a mystery of Divine tenderness. The palaces of proud Israel are glittering, yet it is not in these dwellings that the Light comes into the world. The magnates of the Jewish nation are haughty in their human greatness, they wallow in wealth and comfort. The priest of the Temple are filled with vain knowledge and pride. Contrary to the true meaning of the divine revelations, they have diminished the image of the Savior whom they expect to come into the world with human pomp and power. But God who is always ready to confound the wisdom of this world has upset their plans and, contrary to the expectations of those who are lacking in divine wisdom, he comes down among us in the greatest abjection. He even refuses to be born in Joseph's humble home, he refuses a modest lodging among relatives and acquaintances in the city of Judah and like an outcast seeks refuge and help from poor animals, choosing their abode as his birthplace and their breath to warm his tender little body. He allows poor rough shepherds to pay him the first honors, those whom he himself has informed of the great mystery by means of his angels.

O wisdom and power of God, we are compelled to cry out ecstatically with the Apostle, how incomprehensible are your judgments and how unsearchable your ways. Poverty, humility, abjection and contempt surround the Word Made Flesh. But in the darkness which envelops the Incarnate Word we understand something, we hear a voice, we catch a glimpse of a sublime truth. You have done all this out of love and you invite us to nothing but love, you speak of nothing but love, you give us nothing but proofs of love.

The heavenly Infant suffers and wails in the manger in order to make suffering lovable, meritorious and sought after by us, He lacks everything so that we may learn from him to give up the goods and comforts of this world. He is pleased to have poor and humble adorers in order to induce us to love poverty and prefer the company of the humble and simple rather than that of the great ones of this world. This heavenly Child all meekness and tenderness wants to instill these sublime virtues into our hearts by his example, so that an era of peace and love may dawn on this disordered and utterly confused world. From the moment of his birth he points out to us our mission, which is to despise the things to which the world is attached and which it seeks.

Oh, let us bow down before the manger and with the great St. Jerome, the Saint inflamed with love for the Infant Jesus, let us offer him our whole heart without reserve, and promise him that we shall follow the teachings we receive from the cave of Bethlehem, telling us that everything here below is vanity of vanities and nothing but vanity.