One Final Reminder Before Christmas

Christmas is now just days away, and many of us are frantically scurrying around town doing our best to get all our preparations for Christmas moved from the “to do” list into the “I’m finally ready for Christmas” list. There’s only one thing missing. Many, if not all, of us have forgotten our spiritual preparation for Christmas, the feast which St John Chrysostom called, the Queen of Feasts.

In today’s Gospel (you can read the entire passage below) Christ reminds us how difficult it will be for our rich hearts to enter into heaven. “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time…and in the age to come eternal life.” Christmas can be a daunting time to remain focused on our spiritual journey with Christ. With commercialism attacking us around every corner, combined with our desire to express our love for our family and friends, it can be really difficult to remember that Christmas isn’t about how much we can spend.

In the last few days before Christmas, take a breath, say a prayer, and remember that Christ entered in this world as a humble servant. If you are finding difficult to remain focused on Christ this year for Christmas, remember Christs words, “With men it is impossible, but not with God.”

Have a blessed Christmas!

The Lord said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for these who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” Peter began to say to him, “Lo, we have left everything and followed you.” Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many that are first will be last, and the last first.” And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. – Mark 10.24-32