TRUE TO HIS WORD

These past few days the 1st readings were all about the prophecies of the birth of Jesus Christ and what never ceases to amaze me is the uniformity of the messages of these prophets from the Old Testament and how they were all fulfilled in the New Testament and is now continuously being celebrated year after year as we all say "Merry Christmas". I have always said this and will never ever get tired of saying this. We have a God who never fail and will always fulfill what He said He would do. This prophecy of Samuel explains why Jesus was often referred to in the scriptures as Son of David. The long history of the chosen people of God speaks of a Messiah whom they have long waited for. The more we get familiar with the scriptures the better our understanding of the prophecies from the Old Testament in connection with the New Testament. The deeper we know more about them the better our amazement and appreciation of how God works in mysterious, wonderful and miraculous ways. The long span of more than 4 thousand years that date way back to the time of Abraham to the time of Jesus speak of God's faithfulness to His covenant with His people. We may be in a situation where we are not truly satisfied with what is happening around us but we must continue to believe in the magic that Christmas brings to our hearts. We can always count on God to carry out the plans He has for His people and always be true to His word. There is no greater joy in the knowledge of the hope, joy and love that our Savior is born. Amen. Hallelujah!

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
...And when your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make his kingdom firm. 14 I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before me; your throne shall stand firm forever.’

If we enter into agreement with any person we have to make sure that we are able to fulfill it and vice versa for the person whom we make a contract with. It is so disappointing when things do not turn out the way it should be and terms and conditions are not followed. I guess, we have all encountered mishaps and are dismayed along the way. It is always best that if there's someone whom we should observe and maintain a covenant with then there should be no other but God. For His words and promises will always remain true. As in Habakkuk 2:2-3, "Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late." We can be assured that His covenant will last and stand firm. Thousands of years have passed and only one name remains tried and true and continues to stand the test of time and even eternity, the name above all names, Jesus. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29
R: For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
1 [2] The favors of the LORD I will sing forever; through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness. 2 [3] For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”; in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness. (R) 3 [4] “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant: 4 [5] Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations.” (R) 26 [27] “He shall say of me, ‘You are my father, my God, the rock, my savior.’ 28 [29] Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him, and my covenant with him stands firm.”

We can't save ourselves. We live in a dark world and need Jesus Christ. The coming of Jesus to earth is the beginning of this Kingdom of God. We are destined in the fullness of time to be in perfect communion with Christ and bring to fulfillment the Kingdom. This Christmas we embrace this joy of having Jesus come to us who restored what had been broken by sin in order for us to enter into a new and deeper relationship with God. As the day of the birth of our Lord Jesus draws near the gospel continues to remind us of our role which is to follow the example of St. John's life who prepared the way of the Lord, became a guide to the feet of those who are led astray and brought them back to the path of peace. Let us all become that life giving water, no matter where we came from. If we look at our life we can say that it is much like water flowing through the river of life that is sometimes fast paced, rushing vigorously, may sometimes slow down and flow very peacefully, could pass through big boulders and rocks that block our way or worst pass through dirty and abandoned channels that end up in a rut and stagnate. No matter what situations we encounter in life we have to go through those big boulders that slow us down, block our way and just continue to go with the flow of God's grace that is surely headed to the vast and deep ocean of God's love. Amen. Hallelujah!

Luke 1:67-79
...And you, child, will be called prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us 79 to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”