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Great rejoicing
Off the Wall
Dec. 20, 2007
In a number of days, we will be celebrating Christmas.
Many things come to mind during this holiday. People will be
decorating their homes, buying gifts and baking cooking to be
given to friends and family. Personally, my thoughts go to the
Christmas story itself. For if Jesus Christ hadn't been born,
there would be no celebration.
Everyone knows the story as to Gabriel coming to
Mary and telling her she would have a son. Troubled at first
because she was a virgin, the angel disclosed "that nothing
will be impossible for God." Mary then states, "Behold,
I am a handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to
your word."
It only makes sense that at first she was in question.
Who wouldn't have been in her situation? When she realizes the
truth of the matter, her answer is simple "may it
be done." There was no problem as to what others would think,
that they should hide out because of her pregnancy, or she should
be ashamed in any way. God chose Mary because of her faithfulness
to Him. And in a manner of speaking, one could surmise that she
was also chosen because of her many fine virtues. These included
her prayer life, patience, poverty, chastity, hope, charity toward
God, charity toward her neighbors, humility, faith and obedience.
Even a relative knew that Mary was blessed when
Elizabeth called out, "Most blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb."
Mary was said to have more faith than all men and
angels. She saw her son in the crib and believed Him to be the
Creator of the world, believed Him to be the King of Kings,
believed Him to be the Lord of the Universe, omnipotent,
having infinite wisdom, and remained firm in the belief that
He was God.
The Blessed Virgin found no obstacle in obeying
God. She constantly kept her eyes fixed on Him, to discover His
will, and when she had found out, performed it.
Thus, it becomes evident, that all her virtues were
direct blessings from God. Once Jesus was born and grew older,
He would go about the people teaching them God's will.
We who bond ourselves with God the Father, Jesus
Christ, His Son and the Holy Spirit are One with them in as much
as they are three persons in One. We know them as the Trinity.
Even though the three have always existed, we celebrate this
season because Christ became man and walked among His creation
drawing people to God. It is through Him we gain our salvation,
for He died on the cross to save us from our sinfulness.
When Jesus was born, there was great rejoicing.
When he healed the sick, there was awe, and when he rose from
the dead after the death on the cross, there was celebration.
Jesus not only emphasized that all Christians walk
according to His ways as told in the Holy Scriptures, but reiterated
those virtues that Mary exemplified so well. And how would this
be accomplished? By not only being baptized in water and in spirit,
but by having a binding relationship, man would be assured of
a blessed life guided by the Trinity and receiving life everlasting.
Christ's coming was God's divine plan.
May each of you and your family have a very blessed
Christmas.
Paul j. volkmann
10/08/07
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