by Dr. Jacob Mathew, Malankara World

Christmas is supposed to be the season of joy. Many children are waiting for the arrival of the Santa Claus with a bag full of gifts. However, for many this is far from a happy time. Some are fighting with life threatening diseases. Some have lost their jobs. Some have lost their loved ones and still mourning. This had been a particularly hard week for the people of the United States and the Orthodox faithful in the Midwest in particular. This is the type of occasion when even our faith comes under close scrutiny.

First, we heard about the passing away of Jaison Jacob, Detroit. Jason was 31; he was married just six months ago. It was a fairy tale wedding. They were just settling down with their lives. His wife Soni just got a job in Detroit. Then, without any warning, disaster struck.

I know Jaison from his childhood. His father, Dr. P.O. Jacob, and his mother, Susamma Jacob, are the backbone of St. Thomas Orthodox Church in Detroit, Michigan. I am privileged to call them my best friends. Jaison and his dad, built the alter in the new church. Jaison was very active in the youth group. He was a born leader. His sister, Dr. Jessy, was also very active in the church and continue the tradition after her marriage to Jobin, a member of St. Paul's Syriac Orthodox Church in Philadelphia. In short, Jaison and his family had been a model Christian family in all they did.
 

Jaison died on Monday, December 10. The exact medical cause of his death is unknown. He was on ventilator for 2 weeks after being admitted complaining of chest pain. His funeral was on Saturday, December 15. It was heart breaking to see his parents and wife of 6 months crying all the way from the church to the cemetery. What can we say to console them? The whole church, packed with his friends, was in shock. No body could believe that this active youngster, whose marriage was just a few months ago, is gone for ever. His mother, sobbing and repeating, "why are you leaving us, monae," reminded me of St. Mary, beating her hands on her chest and crying about Jesus on Good Friday as we go on the first procession. The pain and agony of the parents crying over their dead child has no equal in the suffering scale in my opinion. Soni, unable to compose herself, covered her whole head and body in a dark cloth so no one will see her in her mourning.

Many are asking "why God?"

Then we heard about the senseless killing of 20 kindergarten children and 6 adults in a mass murder in Connecticut on Friday, December 14. The gunman pointed at the gun on his mother and killed her before going out on the rampage.

Ever since we heard the news, we've all been struggling to deal with it. No one seems to have an answer.

A teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, asked the question:

"Who would do this to our poor little babies?"

The governor of Connecticut seems to have answered it this way:

"Evil visited this community today."

Perhaps Max Lacado said it best, in a prayer he wrote on Friday afternoon:

"Dear Jesus, It's a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark."

Atheists will say that this shows that God is not there; a loving God will not allow these innocent babies to be slaughtered.

What happened in Newtown, CT, was pure evil, undiluted and Satanic. What else do you call it when a man takes a rifle, kills his mother, then kills 20 innocent schoolchildren and six adults?
That's what evil is and that's what evil does.

Msgr. Charles Pope commented about suffering brought by evil:

The problem of evil cannot be simply answered. It is a mystery. It's purpose and why God permits it are caught up in our limited vision and understanding. The scriptures say how "all things work together for the good of those who love and trust the Lord and are called according to his purposes." But how this is so is difficult for us to see in many circumstances.

Anyone who have ever suffered tragic and senseless loss or observed the disproportionate suffering that some must endure cannot help but ask, why? And the answers aren't all that satisfying to many for suffering is ultimately mysterious in many ways.

God didn't create evil. We did. God created us in his image. But he also gave us free will. We can choose good or evil. That is our choice. God didn't have anything to do with it.

An entire chapter of the Bible is dedicated to the story of Cain, the first recorded murderer. From the very beginning God wanted us to be aware of the consequences of the fall of man. We who were made "in the Image of God" are now fallen, our natures are corrupted, we now "know good and evil" but from the vantage point of evil. We have dual natures - good and evil.

Imagine Adam and Eve's horror at what their sin had wrought, as they beheld the lifeless body of their son Abel, and listened to the self-serving rationalizations of Cain. They had brought this about. This new, insecure, deadly world of strife and murder they now lived in, came about as a direct result of their sin, and they knew it.

Fortunately, God had a plan to save the fallen world. That was through messiah and the cross in Calvary. God so loved us that he sent his only begotten son to the world.

For many, the agony of Newtown was confounded by the fact that this happened during the joyous season of Christmas. It would be horrific at any time of the year, but it somehow seems magnified during this happy season.

But our church, on December 27, celebrates the killing of the innocent children in Bethlehem. Herod, another evil man, felt threatened by the birth of "King of Jews," orders the massacre of all children under 2 years of age. Matthew 2:18 quotes fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy thus:

A sound was heard in Ramah,
weeping and much lament.
Rachel weeping for her children,
Rachel refusing all solace,
Her children gone,
dead and buried.

Jesus was saved from the slaughter because an angel told Joseph to take the family to Egypt. This brings in new questions. Dr. Ray Pritchard asked that in this context:

"I want to ask a question that I can't fully answer, but it is one that we all think about in different ways and at different times. If the angel knew about the impending massacre at Bethlehem, why did he warn Mary and Joseph and not the others? On one level we know that Mary and Joseph were warned so that Jesus might be preserved from Herod's murderous intentions. But what shall we say about the other boys of Bethlehem? And what about their parents? Were not those babies precious to the Lord also? Does the Lord hear the wails that arise from the little town of Bethlehem?"

God has a purpose in everything he does. Jesus incarnated with a mission. That mission cannot be accomplished if he dies at the hands of Herod. It was important to save the child from the hands of Herod so that the Jesus can be sacrificed on Calvary for the sins of mankind, reversing the fall of mankind started in Eden. So, although, Jesus, the infant, was saved from death in Bethlehem, God didn't save Jesus, the adult, from the cross 33 years later. St. Mary didn't cry like Rachel did in Bethlehem; but she did 30 plus years later at the foot of the cross in Calvary. A sphere pierced her heart as Simeon prophesied.

God was not insensitive to the suffering of the innocent children in Bethlehem. Christ did not exempt himself from the suffering. He suffered mightily and unjustly.

Jesus said we are going to have difficulties in our lives. The difference is that Jesus is with us when we go through trials and tribulations in this world. He is with us when we laugh as well as when we cry. In fact, just like He did when Mary cried at the grave of Lazarus, He cries with us when we cry. He is with us and for us. While we go through tough times in our lives, let us remember that Jesus has overcame the world so we can too.

Psalm 68:19 declares, "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation." He is with us and has not forgotten us. Moreover, he alone is our hope.

Psalm 23:4 points out that even in Death's valley, God is with us; we need not fear. Furthermore, as the psalmist points out in Psalm 23:6, he shall dwell with the Lord forever. There is hope beyond the grave. This, of course, is the great promise for all of us who believe in Christ.

Lastly, God will deal with the injustices and terrors of our world. Romans 12:19 reminds us that vengeance belongs to the Lord; he will right all wrongs and judge those who inflict pain. The people who do evil will have to answer to God on His second coming.

We are not alone. We are in good company.

The light of God surrounds us,
The love of God enfolds us,
The power of God protects us,
The presence of God watches over us,
Wherever we are, God is,
And where God is, all is well.

"Fear not, child of God. No one knows what a day may bring. Who knows if we will all make it through this week? But our God is faithful to keep every one of his promises. Nothing can happen to us except it first pass through the hands of a loving God. If your way is dark, keep on believing. When your furnace time is over, you will come forth as gold."

Let us pray.

Glory to the father, the son and Holy Spirit; one true God.

Heavenly father:

We are gathered here today with our hearts saddened hearing about the passing away of Barnabas Thirumeni in Kerala, Jaison in Detroit and the 26 innocent people in Connecticut including 20 children.

We know that you have a plan for everything and we pray that Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

We know that this is the Season of Giving. We remember the biggest gift of all - your sending your only begotten son so that we can be saved from eternal damnation.

We know that, although we are here to celebrate the birth of your son in Bethlehem, the Christmas really is about the ultimate death of your son on the cross to save us. That was the only purpose for the birth of the savior - to die on the cross and the eventual triumph over the death by His resurrection.

So, we know that His birth and His death are inseparable. Even the first Christmas was followed immediately by the slaughter of innocent children by Herod.

Help us and people throughout the world to understand that we are all your children. We are all brothers and sisters created in your image and likeness. Guide us to live in harmony with one another, respectful of each other.

Give us the wisdom to be obedient to you, trust in you and respect others.

Be with us today as we celebrate your love the immensity of which cannot be explained or fathomed by us. Grant us the eternal peace Jesus has promised us.

In Jesus' name we pray.

Amen

More Information:

Malankara World has tons of information about Suffering in the Malankara World Special Supplement on Suffering. We recommend the following articles, in particular, that are relevant to the current issue:

The Boys of Bethlehem by Dr. Ray Pritchard

If God is Good, Why Do I Hurt? by Dr. Ray Pritchard

Where is God At Times Like These? by Msgr. Charles Pope

Where Is God When I am Hurt? By Timothy Paul Jones

How Can a Holy God Ordain Evil to Exist? by James Pruch

There is No Growth Without Struggle by Dr. Ray Pritchard

Tragedy at Newtown by Ravi Zacharias

Evening

• St. Matthew 1:1- 17

Morning

• St. Luke 3:23-38

Before Holy Qurbana

• Genesis 46: 8-27
• I Kings 9: 3-7
• Isaiah 7: 14-15, 11: 1 -9

Holy Qurbana

• Acts 3:20-26
• Romans 4:13-21
• St. Matthew 1:1-17

Both Matthew 1 and Luke 3 contain genealogies of Jesus. But there is one problem--they are different. Luke's genealogy starts at Adam and goes to David. Matthew's genealogy starts at Abraham and goes to David. When the genealogies arrive at David, they split with David's sons: Nathan (Mary's side?) and Solomon (Joseph's side).

There are differences of opinion with two main options being offered. The first is that one genealogy is for Mary and the other is for Joseph. It was customary to mention the genealogy through the father even though it was clearly known that it was through Mary.

"The second thing is that this genealogy differs in significant ways from the genealogy in Matthew. Why? Most Bible scholars believe that Luke gives the genealogy of Mary (who was also of the royal Davidic line), while Matthew traces the family of Joseph. Thus by both His mother and His earthly father, Jesus had a right to the throne of Israel." 1

"Luke paused from his narrative to give Christ's genealogy. While Matthew traced Christ's lineage through Joseph, his legal father (see Matt. 1:1–17), Luke traced it through Mary, beginning with Mary's father, Heli. (Men in ancient times often regarded their sons-in-law as their own sons.) The lineages of Mary and Joseph converge at King David (compare 3:31 with Matt. 1:6). 2

"Those who take the latter opinion, that we have here the line of Mary, as in Matthew that of Joseph - here His real, there His reputed line - explain the statement about Joseph, that hewas "the son of Hell," to mean that he was his son-in-law, as the husband of his daughter Mary (as in Ru 1:11, 12), and believe that Joseph's name is only introduced instead of Mary's, in conformity with the Jewish custom in such tables. Perhaps this view is attended with fewest difficulties, as it certainly is the best supported." 3

Some critics may not accept this explanation and it is not without its problems.

"The theory that Luke really gives us the family tree of Mary rather than of Joseph is improbable. The theory with least difficulties is that Matthew gives the descendants of David down the royal line (i.e. who was heir to the throne at any given time), but Luke gives the particular line to which Joseph belonged. 4

The Bible should be interpreted in the context of its literary style, culture, and history. Breaking up genealogies into male and female representations was acceptable in the ancient Near East culture since it was often impolite to speak of women without proper conditions being met: male presence, etc. Therefore, one genealogy might be of Mary and the other of Joseph--even though both mention Joseph. In other words, the Mary geneaology was counted "in" Joseph and under his headship.

I find it difficult to accept that those who collected the books of the New Testament, and who believed it was inerrant, were unaware of this blatant differentiation in genealogies. They must have understood what the historical/cultural context was and had no problem with it. Even though we cannot ascertain at this time a precise explanation does not mean one isn't forthcoming. After all, archaeological discovers clear up Bible "difficulties" on a regular basis. But, back to our discussion.

Notice that Luke starts with Mary and goes backwards to Adam. Matthew starts with Abraham and goes forward to Joseph. The intents of the genealogies were obviously different which is clearly seen in their styles. Luke was not written to the Jews, Matthew was. Therefore, Matthew would carry the legal line (from Abraham through David) and Luke the biological one (from Adam through David). Also, notice that Luke's first three chapters mention Mary eleven times; hence, the genealogy from her. Fourth, notice Luke 3:23, "And when He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being supposedly the son of Joseph, the son of Eli," This designation "supposedly" seems to signify the Marian genealogy since it seems to indicate that Jesus is not the biological son of Joseph.

Finally, in the Joseph genealogy is a man named Jeconiah. God cursed Jeconiah (also called Coniah), stating that no descendant of his would ever sit on the throne of David, "For no man of his descendants will prosper sitting on the throne of David or ruling again in Judah," (Jer. 22:30). But Jesus, of course, will sit on the throne in the heavenly kingdom. The point is that Jesus is not a biological descendant of Jeconiah, but through the other lineage -- that of Mary. Hence, the prophetic curse upon Jeconiah stands inviolate. But, the legal adoption of Jesus by Joseph reckoned the legal rights of Joseph to Jesus as a son, not the biological curse. This is why we need two genealogies: one of Mary (the actually biological line according to prophecy), and the legal line through Joseph.
 

LUKE	MATTHEW
(Mary)	Father of (Joseph)
Nathan Mattatha Menna Melea Eliakim Jonam Joseph Judah Simeon Levi Matthat Jorim Eliezer Joshua Er Elmadam Cosam Addi Melchi Neri Shealtiel Zerubbabel Rhesa Joanan Joda Josech Semein Mattathias Maath Naggai Hesli Nahum Amos Mattathias Joseph Jannai Melchi Levi Matthat Eli supposedly of Joseph (Mary) JESUS	David Solomon Rehoboam Abijah Asa Jehoshaphat Joram Uzziah Jotham Ahaz Hezekiah Manasseh Amon Josiah Jeconiah Shealtiel Zerubbabel Abihud Eliakim Azor Zadok Achim Eliud Eleazar Matthan Jacob Joseph Joseph Adopted Jesus as his own son giving him all legal rights involving heirship.

References:

1. Richards, L., & Richards, L. O. (1987). The teacher's commentary. Includes index. (650). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

2. Willmington, H. L. (1997). Willmington's Bible handbook (582). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

3. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., Fausset, A. R., Brown, D., & Brown, D. (1997). A commentary, critical and explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments (Lk 3:23). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

4. Carson, D. A. (1994). New Bible commentary : 21st century edition (4th ed.) (Lk 3:23–38). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill., USA: Inter-Varsity Press.

There are one or two Sundays after Christmas (depending upon the day of the week that Christmas occurs), one of which is always celebrated: the Finding in the Temple. On 1 January the liturgical commemoration is Feast of the Circumcision (Naming) of the Child Jesus, with a second commemoration of the common Eastern observance of Saint Basil.

The Sundays of this Season are:

Announcement to Zechariah

Announcement to the Virgin Mary

Visitation to Elizabeth

Birth of John the Baptizer

Revelation to Joseph

Genealogy Sunday

The Finding in the Temple

In celebrating the Finding in the Temple (Sunday after Christmas) the Orthodox Church uses the 3rd Infancy Narrative of Luke (chapter 2) to parallel closely the Gospel development of Jesus' own growth. He is seen in the Temple, recognizing his true "Father" (his divine Origin) and preparing himself for his Baptism and public life. In addition, Joseph disappears from all the Gospel narratives: Joseph's earthly fathering is done, and Jesus will now proclaim the heavenly Father. The Twelve Days of Christmas take us to the Feast of the Epiphany (Theophany).

Season of Epiphany (in Syriac this feast is called Denho)

Taking the Baptism of Jesus (6 January) as the model, the Orthodox Church celebrates our new life of Baptism and Chrismation in this Season. In Syriac it is called denho. For some Syriac Churches, this season is the traditional time of reception of catechumens into the Church. But for all Syriac Christians, denho is a time to reflect on our baptism. During the first three days following the third Sunday before the Great Lent (Monday-Wednesday) [ Sixth Week of Epiphany in case of the Maronite Church] observes "Nineveh Days" or 3-Day Lent. These three days are penitential and serve to anticipate the Season of Great Lent. In one form or another, these days are observed by all the Syriac Churches, East and West.

by Carl Olson

A Scriptural Reflection on the Last Sunday of Advent

Readings:

Mi 5:1-4a
Ps 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19
Heb 10:5-10
Lk 1:39-45

The readings for this fourth Sunday (and final day) of Advent emphasize the lowly origins of Jesus - both geographical and familial - and the loving sacrificial work that He, as Lord and Savior, would undertake for the sake of Israel and the entire human race.

The ascent from lowliness to greatness via the startling path of sacrifice is hinted at in the reading from the prophet Micah. His message followed a basic pattern similar to that of his contemporary Isaiah: the announcement of judgment due to the rejection of God’s law, the prophecy of a restored Zion, and an exhortation to a spiritual renewal based in trust in God’s mercy.

The Messiah, the future ruler of Israel, will come from the little town of Bethlehem, the city of David; centuries later this prophesy is emphasized in Matthew’s Gospel (Matt 2:5-6). This promise echoes the covenantal vows made to King David, including the eternal establishment of his house, throne, and kingdom (2 Sam 7:11-13, 16). There is also a reference to the mother of this ruler in Israel, an identification fully expressed and realized in the Gospel reading.

"He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock", states Micah. So, too, the Psalmist depicts the coming Messiah as the "shepherd of Israel" who comes from the throne of God to save His people. Psalm 80 is a song of lament in the wake of a military defeat, possibly involving the capture of the Temple in sixth century B.C. Its author asks God to remember His people - "this vine" - and have mercy on them. He humbly acknowledges that only the Lord, by taking merciful initiative, can save His people by turning His face to them.

The Epistle reading is a reminder that the divine initiative in the work of salvation centers on the Son’s desire to fulfill the will of the Father. "By his loving obedience to the Father," states the Catechis of the Catholic Church, "‘unto death, even death on a cross’ (Phil 2:8), Jesus fulfils the atoning mission (cf. Is 53:10) of the suffering Servant, who will ‘make many righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities’ (Is 53:11; cf. Rom 5:19)" (CCC 623).

Drawing from Psalm 40, the Son twice declares: "Behold, I come to do your will." This is the perfect expression of divine love, the same divine love that fills those who have been baptized into the Son because of the sacrificial gift of His body on the cross (cf. Rom 6:3-4). Again, glory does not come through merely external acts or proud aspirations, but from humility before God, obedience to His divine will, and gratitude for the gift of His life.

In the final Gospel reading of Advent, Luke depicts two mothers-to-be praising God for His blessings and marveling at His mysterious ways. The emphasis on obedience and faith that marks today’s readings reaches a climax in the person of the young Jewish virgin. "The Virgin Mary," the Catechism teaches, "most perfectly embodies the obedience of faith" (CCC 148; cf. CCC 144). It is this faith that is recognized by Mary’s relative, Elizabeth, when the pregnant Mother of God visits her: "Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."

Elizabeth’s recognition of her Lord in the womb of Mary is dramatic and, at the same time, almost matter-of-fact in tone. The title "Lord" is usually meant for God (see Luke 1:6, 9, 11, 15), and it is applied to Jesus often throughout Luke’s Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, knows that Mary’s child is special and that His life will have a significance surpassing that of her son. Earlier, in verse 15, her husband, Zechariah, had been told that John would "be filled with the holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb." John’s leaping for joy in the womb is evidence of this; the precursor of Jesus announced the presence of the Messiah even before either had been born.

This marks a fitting conclusion to the season of Advent: humble praise and joyful anticipation on the cusp of the Nativity, when the God of Israel joins history and humanity as the Incarnate Son of God.

by Br. James Brent, O.P.

The Bridegroom Whispers

To what shall we compare the Fourth Sunday of Advent? It is like a bridegroom whispering in the ear of his bride a promise of things delightful and near. In the liturgy of the Fourth Sunday, Christ whispers into the ear of His Church the things of Christmas. And with what desire does the bride desire them!

Our Lord always tends to arouse within us desires for things that are beyond us. He makes our hearts thirsty, yet for a drink that the earth does not provide. He makes our souls hungry, yet for a food that grows in no earthly field. He makes us long for a happiness, a goodness, a life, a truth, a joy, and a peace that surpass all our experience and all our powers to obtain. These are the things of Christmas.

What is it like to hear Him whisper of the things of Christmas? The whisper of the Lord is an instinct of the heart. A French priest of the mid-twentieth century described the whisper well. The Lord's whisper is "always troubling us in secret, ennobling our dreams, like a mysterious and irresistible call from unknown lands which send us their perfumes and beckon to us, but do not send their fruits, while we ourselves have neither oars nor sails to reach them... We have the idea and the desire of a happiness, a knowledge, an immortality, which surpass our human possibilities."[1] By His grace, the Lord plants within us a deep instinct for higher things - the things of Christmas. God plants within us an instinct for Himself - an instinct to seek Him, cleave to Him, belong to Him, live with Him, indeed, see Him.

The Lord plants within us this thirst for Himself so that He might slake this very thirst by giving us Himself. He awakens our desire for the things of Christmas so that Christmas itself might be his gift to us - the gift of His very self revealed through flesh.

All the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent combine to reveal just how close God wants to be with us and how close He wants us to be with Him.

Emmanuel On My Lap

In the first reading, we hear the great prophecy of Isaiah: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel." The Gospel reading tells us the meaning of the name 'Emmanuel.' It means "God with us", and that is what the child born of Mary really is. He is God with us. As Pope St. Leo the Great put it, "by giving birth in this wonderful way, the holy Virgin brought forth in a single offspring both a truly human nature and a truly divine one."[2]

Jesus is God with us. Perhaps we have heard this truth so many times that we have become thoughtless about it. Perhaps we have never really explored its depths. It is time to ponder the mystery anew so that on Christmas day we may live it anew.

The child to be born of the Virgin will be both a dweller and a dwelling. Jesus is God dwelling among us: "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..."(Jn. 1:14). And Jesus is a dwelling for us: "Abide in me...abide in my love" (Jn. 15:4,9). The first one to dwell in this Dwelling was Mary.

St. Ephrem the Syrian considered the possibility that Mary had heard the prophecy of Isaiah. In that case, she must have looked upon her own situation in light of Isaiah's prophecy.

With this possibility in mind, St. Ephrem meditated deeply upon the birth of Christ from Mary's point of view. At the birth of Christ, Mary recalls the prophecy of Isaiah and says to herself "Am I having a dream or a vision, that behold, upon my lap is Emmanuel? I shall cease all else and give thanks to the Lord of the universe each day."[3] Should we do anything less on this Fourth Sunday of Advent? Let us cease all else, and give thanks to the Lord of the universe.

The responsorial Psalm and the Epistle to the Romans take us deeper still. They reveal even more of the meaning of "God with us."

The Psalm speaks of the "clean of hand and pure of heart, who are not devoted to idols." The Roman Breviary's translation of the same verse is more revealing. It speaks of "the man of clean hands and pure heart, who desires not worthless things." Who is the man of clean hands and pure heart except Jesus - the "Holy One of Israel" (Is. 1:4)? And why does God the Father give the man of clean hands and pure heart to us? Why does the Father send the Holy One of Israel to us?

The Father has given Jesus to us so that we might belong to Jesus.

Belonging to Jesus Christ

St. Paul says this in the second reading. We "are called to belong to Jesus Christ." Calling is another word for vocation. And what Blessed Teresa of Calcutta says about her sisters' religious vocation is equally true of every Christian's baptismal vocation. "Our vocation is the conviction that we belong to him," that is, belong to Jesus.[4] St. Paul writes elsewhere that "I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want" (Phil. 4:12). What is his secret? His secret is his conviction that he belongs to Jesus. "I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rm. 8:38-9).

Do I have the same conviction? Does my heart cry out to Jesus "I belong to You"? Does absolutely every part of my life belong to Jesus Christ? Can I say to Jesus in prayer, "Let anything whatsoever happen to me, only let me belong to You"? If not, then it is time to surrender to Jesus. It is time to belong completely to Christ. It is time to welcome the Presence. For the Presence will create the belonging.

As I meditate upon them, the point of all the readings of the Fourth Sunday of Advent is that we are called to share absolutely everything with Jesus - even to unimaginable depths of union.

Jesus wants us to share in His peace. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you..." (Jn. 14:27). Jesus wants us to share in His joy. "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you..." (Jn. 15:11, cf. 17:13). Jesus wants us to share in His life. "I am the vine; you are the branches" (Jn. 15:5). Jesus wants us to have a share in His Spirit. "I will put my spirit within you" (Ez. 36:27). Jesus wants us to share in His mission. "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you" (Jn. 20:21). Jesus wants us to share in His fate. "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you...But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings" (1 Pet.4:12-13). Jesus wants us to share His God, that is, His Father: "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God" (Jn.20:17). Jesus wants us to share His glory: "Father, I desire that they also, whom thou hast given me, may be with me where I am, to behold my glory" (Jn.17:24). And beholding His glory will make us share in His glory. "And we all, with unveiled face beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another..." (2 Cor. 3:18).

Earlier we spoke of a higher kind of peace, a higher kind of joy, a higher kind of life, truth, goodness, and happiness. We spoke of how Christ whispers into His bride's ear of these higher things - the things of Christmas. And now we know what He whispers.

He whispers of His peace - peace divine. He whispers of His joy - joy divine. He whispers of His life - life divine. He whispers His word - "shining as a lamp in some dark place" (2 Pet. 1:19). The only appropriate way to celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent is to yield to every desire for these things of Christmas. "O God, you are my God, for you I long, for you my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you like a dry, weary land without water" (Ps. 63:2-3, Breviary).

For Christmas is nearly here now. That day is upon us when Christ will put Himself as a babe into our hands, and say, so to speak, "welcome to my world."

References:

[1] Masure, Eugene. The Christian Sacrifice. trans. Trethowan, Dom Illtyd. London: Burns Oates & Washburn Ltd., 1947, p.57

[2] St. Leo the Great, as excerpted and translated in Isaiah: Interpreted by Early Christian and Medieval Commentators, ed. Wilken, Robert Louis. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2007, p.105

[3] St. Ephrem, as excerpted and translated in Wilken (2007), p.105

[4] Teresa, Mother. Total Surrender. Ed. Scolazzi, Brother Angelo Devenanda. Cincinnati, OH: Servant Books. 1985, p.38

About The Author:

By Catherine Marshall

We spent Christmas 1960 at Evergreen Farm in Lincoln, Virginia--the home of my parents. With us were my sister and her husband -- Emmy and Harlow Hoskins -- and their two girls, Lynn and Winifred. It meant a typical family occasion with our three children, Linda, Chester, and Jeffrey, along with Peter John who was then a senior at Yale. Five children can make an old farmhouse ring with the yuletide spirit.

For our Christmas Eve service, Lynn and Linda had prepared an improvised altar before the living room fireplace. Jeffrey and Winifred (the youngest grandchildren) lighted all the candles. Then with all of his family gathered around him, my father read Luke's incomparable account of the first Christmas. There was carol singing, with Chester and Winifred singing a duet, "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," in their high, piping voices. Then my mother, the storyteller of the family, gave us an old favorite, "Why the Chimes Rang." She made us see the ragged little boy creeping up that long cathedral aisle and slipping his gift onto the altar.

Then she said, "You know, I'd like to make a suggestion to the family. The floor underneath the tree in the den is piled high with gifts we're giving to one another. But we're celebrating Christ's birthday, not each other's. This is His time of year. What are we going to give to Jesus?"

The room began to hum with voices, comparing notes. But Mother went on, "Let's think about it for a few moments. Then we'll go around the circle and each of us will tell what gift he will lay on the altar for Christ's birthday."

Chester, age seven, crept close to his father for a whispered consultation. Then he said shyly, "What I'd like to give Jesus this year is not to lose my temper anymore."

Jeffrey, age four, who had been slow in night training, was delightfully specific. "I'll give Him my diapers."

Winifred said softly that she was going to give Jesus good grades in school.

Lynn's was, "To be a better father, which means a gift of more patience."

And so it went... on around the group. Peter John's was short but significant. "What I want to give to Christ is a more dedicated life." I was to remember that statement five years later at the moment of his ordination into the Presbyterian ministry when he stood so straight and so tall and answered so resoundingly, "I do so believe.... I do so promise...." Yet at Christmas time, 1960, the ministry was probably the last thing he expected to get into.

Then it was my father's turn. "I certainly don't want to inject too solemn a note into this," he said, "but somehow I know that this is the last Christmas I'll be sitting in this room with my family gathered around me like this."

We gasped and protested, but he would not be stopped. "No, I so much want to say this. I've had a most wonderful life. Long, long ago I gave my life to Christ. Though I've tried to serve Him, I've failed Him often. But He has blessed me with great riches -- especially my family. I want to say this while you're all here. I may not have another chance. Even after I go on into the next life, I'll still be with you. And, of course, I'll be waiting for each one of you there."

There was love in his brown eyes -- and tears in ours. No one said anything for a moment. Time seemed to stand still in the quiet room. Firelight and candlelight played on the children's faces as they looked at their grandfather, trying to grasp what he was saying. The fragrance of balsam and cedar was in the air. The old windowpanes reflected back the red glow of Christmas lights.

Father did leave this world four months later -- on May first. His passing was like a benediction. It happened one afternoon as he sat quietly in a chair in the little village post office talking to some of his friends. His heart just stopped beating. That Christmas Eve he had known with a strange sureness that the time was close.

Every time I think of Father now, I can see that scene in the living room -- like a jewel of a moment set in the ordinary moments that make up our days. For that brief time, real values came clearly into focus: Father's gratitude for life; Mother's strong faith; my husband's quiet strength; my son's inner yearning momentarily shining through blurred youthful ambitions; the eager faces of children groping toward understanding and truth; the reality of the love of God as our thoughts focused on Him whose birth we were commemorating.

It was my most memorable Christmas.

Family Moment

Think of all the memories we've had as a family during Christmas through the years. What memories do you count as the best? Why?

How could this family make our memories even sweeter than they already are?

An Advent Prayer

Father God, show us how precious each family member is this season. Teach us to number our days so that we might honor you and love others. Give us anew appreciation of how unique and beloved each of us is to the others. Amid the things that bother us the most, let us not lose sight that you have made this family what it is. Help us rest in your wonderful plan that we should go through life together for all of the days we have breath. We're grateful, and our hearts are filled with love for you and each other. Amen.

Editor's Note:

Today's Advent reading is from 25 Days of Christmas by Greg Johnson. Greg Johnson is the author of more than 20 books. He is President of WordServe Literary Group, a Denver-based literary agency that serves more than 100 authors (www.wordserveliterary.com).

by Frank Broom

One of the most important things people overlook in dealing with sickness is what they speak out of their mouth. You can't just speak anything because your words have an effect on your body. In the book of James he says, if you offend not in word, you are able to bridle your whole body. He also goes on to say your tongue is like the rudder of a ship, so if you want to go from sickness to healing then you are going to have to set your tongue to healing and not sickness. In 1Peter 3:10 he says, if you want to see good keep your tongue from evil. That's a principle so you could also say, if you want to see healing keep your tongue from sickness. And the best way to do that is to put God's word in your mouth concerning your healing. Because Proverbs 4:22 says, God's word is health (medicine) to all your flesh. God's word in your mouth is medicine to all your flesh.

Now somebody might be saying prove that with the word, remember Abraham and his wife Sarah the scripture says, he was old and his body was dead (not functioning in a manner to have a son) and his wife Sarah was barren, but God said they would have a son together and that Abraham's seed would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. How did God change their bodies to carry out what He spoke, He changed their names. He gave them something to say that was in line with what He spoke. Abraham means-Father of a multitude and Sarah means-Princess of the multitude. Notice what Psalm 103:5 says, He satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Notice that scripture doesn't say He satisfies you. He gives you something to say to change your body.

Somebody may be saying, yes, but I need a miracle, well in Luke 1 the angel came to Mary, a virgin, and told her she was going to have a son and they talked for a little while, but notice that angel didn't depart until Mary spoke in line with what he said, "Be it unto me according to thy word". It wasn't until Mary spoke that the miracle took place. Now, you can't deny that the word has a lot to say about your words having an effect on your body. Especially God's word and some say they don't believe in speaking God's word when the Bible says, it is powerful and has the power to save. That word save in the Greek also means heal. That's why the word is medicine, because there's healing power in the word of God. So, I encourage you to see what the word has to say about your healing like-"By whose stripes ye were healed" 1Peter 2:24, or "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law" Galatians 3:13, or Himself took my infirmities and bore my sicknesses (you have to make it personal). And put your hope and faith in what God says and don't give up it is going to take time. But, you have to start somewhere.

By Dr. Ben Kim, DrBenKim.com

To promote your best health, including strong bones and teeth, it's vital that you eat plenty of green plant foods on a regular basis. And ounce for ounce, few green plant foods are more nutrient-rich than green peas.

Green peas are naturally abundant in folate, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, carotenoids, tryptophan, vitamin K, manganese, healthy protein, and a number of other health-promoting nutrients.

Experience the many health benefits of eating green peas with the following recipe for Green Pea and Chickpea Soup - it's exceptionally healthy and calls for highly affordable ingredients.

Makes about 4 large or 6 small servings

Ingredients:

1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 cups frozen or fresh shelled green peas
1 yellow onion, roughly chopped
2 ribs celery, roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
Sea salt and pepper
2.5 cups vegetable or chicken broth (skip the chicken broth during lent.)
Handful chopped fresh parsley or cilantro (optional for garnish)
Extra-virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. In a large soup pot, cook onion, garlic, and celery with a couple of tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil over low to medium heat. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until vegetables are soft. Stir occasionally.

2. Add chickpeas, peas, and broth, and bring to a boil over medium to medium-high heat.

3. Reduce heat, cover, and let simmer for about 15 minutes, or until chickpeas and peas are tender.

4. Use a hand-held blender to partially blend ingredients in the pot. If you prefer smooth soups, blend everything until well homogenized. If you like texture to your soups, just blend for about 5-10 seconds, which should allow some of the peas and chickpeas to remain intact.

If you don't have a hand-held blender, blend small portions in a regular blender or food processor; then transfer back to the pot.

5. Season with sea salt and pepper.

6. If you have fresh chopped parsley or cilantro on hand, sprinkle a tablespoon over each bowl before serving.

The old Dobermann thinks, "Oh, oh! I'm in deep s--- now!"

Noticing some bones on the ground close by, he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the panther is about to leap, the old Dobermann exclaims loudly,

"Boy, that was one delicious panther! I wonder, if there are any more around here?"

Hearing this, the young panther halts his attack in mid-strike, a look of terror comes over him and he slinks away into the trees.

"Whew!," says the panther, "That was close! That old Dobermann nearly had me!"

Meanwhile, a squirrel who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the panther. So, off he goes.

The squirrel soon catches up with the panther, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the panther.

The young panther is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here, squirrel, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine!"

Now, the old Dobermann sees the panther coming with the squirrel on his back and thinks, "What am I going to do now?," but instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn't seen them yet, and just when they get close enough to hear, the old Dobermann says .......

"Where's that squirrel? I sent him off an hour ago to bring me another panther!"

Moral of this story...

Don't mess with us old dogs... age, experience and skill will always overcome youth and treachery!

Bull S--- and brilliance only come with age and experience:)