"The Sovereign LORD is coming to rule with power, bringing with him the people he has rescued. He will take care of his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; he will gently lead their mothers." (Isaiah 40:10-11)
This is Advent, and the world is preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25 - that is, Christmas day. Thus, the habitual hustle and bustle of this period is now being noticeable. For many this is the time to make huge commercial gains, while for others it is the time to get a new face-lift - acquire new dresses, refurbish their homes, purchase new cars, and budget for pricey foods, drinks and delicacies. All of these are good! But are you want just to celebrate Christmas or to receive - the King of kings?
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| THE KING IS COMING |
Truly, for those who look forward to receiving Christ on Christmas day, this material preparation is only a shadow; if not, an obstacle to the real preparation. This real one is internal - it consists of opening the heart for Christ to enter and dwell inside; as it is written: "Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with me." (Revelation 3:20) This post will guide you in the necessary preparation to receive Jesus right into your home, and into your life, on Christmas day. Read, act and share You are blessed!
1. Believe in the Good News
Here, the "voice" is the Word of God, as it is written: "A voice cries out, Prepare in the wilderness a road for the LORD! Clear the way in the desert for our God! Fill every valley; level every mountain. The hills will become a plain, and the rough country will be made smooth. Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it. The LORD himself has promised this. (Isaiah 40:3-5)
This Word of God is Jesus Christ - who saves, heals, delivers and restores to life (John 1:1-3, 14; 11:38-44). And the key to "open" your door for Christ is your faith in the Word - incarnate in Christ as the instrument of salvation (John 3:34-36). This is why it is also written: 'This is what the scripture says: If you hear God's voice today, do not be stubborn, as your ancestors were when they rebelled against God.' (Hebrews 3:15)
2. Cleanse Your Hearts
The "door" is your heart, by which you believe and through which God comes into your being. But for Christ to enter into your heart, it must be clean - free from all sinful desires, grudges and evil feelings. This is what the scriptures mean when they say that you should come to God with sincere, cleansed and forgiving hearts (Hebrew 10:21-25; Matthew 6:14-15); full of charity and in fellowship with others.
Then after purifying heart you are called to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength" and to "Love your neighbor as you love yourself". (Mark 12:30-31) And what does it mean to love God? To love God is to accept and obey his commandments and teachings. For he will reveal himself only to those who love him - he will come to dwell in them, and with those who love him; that is, with the repentant sinners. (John 14:21-23.
3. You Are a Sinner
Don't be offended! But, rather, rejoice - because the Messiah is coming for you - the righteous do not need salvation (Luke 5:31-32). But as the scriptures say: everyone has sinned, and those who pretend not to be sinners are simply liars (Romans 3:10-12; 1 John 1:8). So, despite, the varying degrees of holiness and sinfulness, everyone has a mountain to level, a valley to fill, and a way to straighten – as far their relationships with God and neighbor are concerned.
Your mountain may not be as high as mine, your valley may not be as deep as mine, and your way may not be as crooked as mine - but all the same; you have a mountain to level, a valley to fill and a way to straighten. In other words you need to repent, as it is written: "I rebuke and punish all whom I love. Be in earnest, then, and turn from your sins. (Revelation 3:19)
4. Confess Your Sins
If you fail to level your mountain of rubbish today because it is not high, you may wake up tomorrow to find it piled up and stinking - as your neighbors and passers-by add their own rubbish to it. And what guest can stop by your door when it stings with odor? if you fail to fill your valley today because it is not deep, the pothole may deepen as the rain falls and the days go by; thus, becoming not only a trap for you, but also a blockage to your guests. If you fail to straighten your way today because it is not so crooked, it may soon become impassable when the bends obstruct rain water, causing the latter to dig gutters across the way.
The Truth is that neglected little mountains, shallow valleys, and not-too-crooked ways, are like cracks on a defense wall, through which the enemy easily breaks in to attack. So the saying goes, "A stitch in time saves nine. To confess your sins, therefore, is to clean your "house" that is, your life - so as to be pleasing for Christ to come and live in. So it is written: "But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right he will forgive us our sins and purify us of all our iniquities" (1 John 1:9)
5. Do Not Stay Behind
However, if you think that you are so righteous or so perfect that you need no repentance; then, dont worry - Christ is not coming for you (Luke 5:32). You may be boasting and judging others as you go! But do not be surprised or rather, be disappointed when you come to see the same sinners you condemn today, going to heaven, ahead of you (Matthew 21:28-31).
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| A DEAL IS WAITING FOR YOU: |
6. Level Your Mountains
As far as your repentance is concerned, the mountains are your sins of action; that is, the things you ought not to do, but you do. They may include: pride, corruption, stealing, lie-telling, killing, and may more. When you repent; that is, stop doing the evil things that you used to do, then you are leveling your mountains. And this gives Christ access into your life, to save you body and soul.
7. Fill Your Valleys
On the other hand, the valleys stand for your sins of omission that is, the things that you ought to, but you fail do. These may include: failure to forgive others, failure to help others when you can, failure to take the sacraments, and many more. When you repent; that is, start doing the good things that you used not to do, then you are filling your valleys. And this gives Christ access into your life, to save you body and soul.
8. Break the Barriers
What are the barriers, obstacles and limitations that are preventing you from you from meeting with Christ, in a personal and intimate way? Are they traditions, family, work, friends, time, distance, disability or protocols? Why aren't you baptized? Why did you leave the Church? Why don't you attend Holy Mass or receive the Eucharist? Why don't you go to confession? Why aren't you married in Church? Why don't you fast or fellowship in a Parish group? Why don't you have or read the Bible? Why don't you pray at home or in the family?
Yes, obstacles will always be, but also there will always be a way out - so, be smart and creative in the things of God, as you are in the things of the world. For example, Zacchaeus' obstacle to seeing Jesus was his shortness, but he did not surrender - he sought a way out by climbing the sycamore tree. And on the tree he did not only see Jesus, but Jesus also saw him and called him by name (Luke 19:2-6).
9. Make the Way Straight
Do an act of faith - standout for God to see you. This is what it means to make the way straight for the Lord. And, remember to do your works of faith descretly, and only for the love and glory of God. Do not seek praise or any recognition, for those who want to standout for the world to see them already have their reward (Matthew 6:1-2).
The first step to making a way for the Lord is to love and seek him with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength (Mark 12:30). Then create a connection for him to encounter you. You may do something little but great; for instance, an act of forgiveness or a sacrifice to save someone in danger. Also, you may give up a lucrative but sinful trade or relation for the sake and glory of God, In summary, do something you've not done before, or that no one has ever done - and, do it only for the love of God. Know that it does not depend all on your ability to do extraordinary works of faith. No, you need just your decision, determination, and prayers - and God will do the rest (Psalm 85:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
Be inspired and encouraged by: the woman with the issue of blood - she touched the robe of Jesus with faith, and was healed (Matthew 9:20-22); blind Bartimaeus - he cried out louder and louder when the crowd tried to intimidate him "Son of David, have pity on me" and Jesus attended to him (Mark 10:46-5 2); and Zacchaeus, the short man - he climbed the sycamore tree to see Jesus, and Jesus visited his home (Luke 19:2-6).
10. Meet the King of kings
Paradoxically, the best place to meat Jesus is the Manger. As it is written: "This very day in David's town your Savior was born - Christ the Lord! And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:11 - 12)
When you study the Word of God, fellowship in the Church, receive the Sacraments, take part in the Holy Mass, receive Holy Communion, adore the Blessed Sacrament and pray in the Holy Spirit; you receive the abundant graces and blessings of God. (John 16:16-17). Then you have to go out, the Wiseman from the East did, to visit the King of kings in the Manger. (Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11). As they followed his star to come to him with gifts of myrrh, gold and incense; so you are called to follow his teachings to visit the King of kings in the poor, the sick. the oppressed, the imprisoned, the bereaved and the ignorant; with the gifts you bring to glorify the King - so that you may also share in the glory of the King (Romans 8:17).
May the Spirit of the merciful LORD locate you as you read, act and share this post; so as to change your whole life in Jesus Christ who is coming as the King of kings to enthroned believers as his kings, priests and prophets to rule on earth (Revelation 5:10; 1 Peter 2;9).
Author: Aying Godman, is a Catechist, Evangelist & Blogger of the Roman Church; Founder of CATHOLIC FRONT MEDIA™
Email: ayinggodman@gmail.com
Copyright (c) Aying Godman - Catholic Front Media 2021-2023 All rights reserved.
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