You gotta believe to receive

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When my daughter was 3, a friend told her (regarding Christmas & Santa Claus) “You gotta believe to receive”. She immediately began to cry because that meant her Jewish friends would never have Santa Claus come to their house!. Well, I was able to calm her slightly by explaining the eight days of gifts given in Hanukah.  But she still knew there was something more special about having God’s saint come personally on Christmas eve just for you. At the center of the myths, magic and folklore of Santa Claus is a beautiful truth: believing in the one you cannot see who longs to shower you with His precious gifts. 

How easily grown-ups lose sight of that. 

“Let us often make acts of faith, saying to ourselves: God is looking at me, He is here present.”

(St. Claude de la Colombiere)

 The best gift of all is our Faith. God gives us faith to believe in Him. But do we realize He has faith in us first? Otherwise, He wouldn’t give it! He will not waste His precious gifts on someone who despises them. He saves the best for those who believe and then He gives freely. There is one condition though: we need to ask for it. So every day, ask Him for Faith in Him, Hope for the world, and Love to share with others, especially those who are difficult to love.

 Isaiah 26:1-3 speaks of the strong city God has prepared for us. The gates for those who are just, who keep the faith. “A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.” Trusting in Him is your act of faith and He will reward it. J

 Isaiah 9:5-6: For a child is born to us, a son given us; upon His shoulder dominion rests. They name Him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful.”

What is your name for Him?

Normally this time of year, we would be preparing to receive the CEO mass-goers (those who only attend Christmas, Easter, Holy day of Obligation) as well as visiting family and friends who love to tell us how they hate something about our Faith, and sprinkle in a few pro-abortion/gay marriage Catholics who sincerely consider themselves well-educated in their faith…Christmas isn’t always the magical scene we’d hope for. Our faith is tested!

This year presents new challenges, new tests of faith we could never have imagined. A trial transforming coal into diamonds. Satan tries his best to bring us into despair by painting the universal negative: it will always be this way. Fortunately, we know there is a path to lead us out of fear, anxiety, and hardship. We also have 2000 years of saints to lead us in the journey, such as St. Nicholas whose feast day we celebrate today[i]. We also sing carols professing the truths of this season such as Good King Wenceslaus[ii]. Of course, December 8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception whose Fiat changed the world. Yes, we have so much to celebrate in this lovely gift of Faith.

 Please continue to pray for Pope Francis, our worldwide Church, and our country:

 Antiphon. Nicholas, friend of God, when invested with the episcopal insignia, showed himself a friend to all.

Versicle. Pray for us, blessed Nicholas.

Response. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Oratio. O God, you adorned the pious blessed Bishop Nicholas with countless miracles; grant, we beseech you, that through his merits and prayers, we may be delivered from the flames of hell. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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[i] A wonderful resource on St. Nicholas for the entire family: https://www.stnicholascenter.org/

[ii] St. Wenceslaus was an amazing saint worth getting to know! https://catholicexchange.com/meet-todays-saint-the-good-st-wenceslaus