Many will rejoice at his birth

Do you believe that God will fulfill all his promises just as he said? 

Advent is a time to renew our hope and confidence in God’s faithfulness to the covenant he made with his people. In preparing the way for a Savior, we see the wondrous miracle of two barren couples who conceive and bear sons – Samson in the Old Testament (Judges 13) and John the Baptist in the New Testament (Luke 1:5ff) - who are called by God to bring hope and deliverance at a time of spiritual darkness and difficulty for the people of God.

A blessing beyond expectations

Zechariah was a godly man who was tuned to God’s voice. He was born into a priestly family and it was his privilege to be chosen to enter the inner court of the temple to offer sacrifice to God. Luke records that the people wondered at Zechariah's delay and were amazed that he was speechless when he withdrew from the inner sanctuary. They rightly perceived that he had a special encounter with God. God’s angelic messenger greeted Zechariah with a blessing beyond his expectations.

"Your prayer is heard! You will have a son! And his mission will be great for all of Israel."

Now that seemed like a lot for Zechariah to take in all at once. Could God really do a miracle for his barren wife, Elizabeth? The angel somewhat wisely put Zechariah in his place before God’s mighty action. He became speechless until the day the infant was dedicated to the Lord and given the name, John. When God draws us into his presence, he wants us to be still and quiet before him so we can listen to his voice as he speaks to our hearts and reveals his mind to us. Do you listen attentively to the Lord and do you ponder his word in your heart with trust and confidence?

The Lord is gracious 

In the annunciation of the birth of John the Baptist, the angel explains to Zechariah the role his son is to play in preparing the way for the Messiah. John will be great in the sight of God. He will live as a Nazarite (see Numbers 6) - a person set apart for the Lord. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even within his mother's womb. And he shall be sent to the people of God, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers and children to God and one another, by turning the "disobedient to the wisdom of the just." The name John means "the Lord is gracious". When God acts to save us he graciously fills us with his Holy Spirit and makes our faith "alive" to his promises. Do you pray that "the hearts of parents and children may be turned to God and one another"?

Lord Jesus, you bring hope and restoration to your people. Restore and strengthen Christian family life today. Help me to love and serve my family. May your love rule in all my relationships and remove any barriers to peace and harmony.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Belief in the power and promises of God

"On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them'. By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified" (John 7:37-39).

Promises to those who frequently make the Stations of the Cross

These promises were given to Bro. Stanislaus, (1903-1927) of the Christian Schools at Bugedovby Our Lord. According to his Master of Novices, Br. Stanislaus was an especially privileged soul who received messages from Heaven.

1. I will grant everything that is asked of Me with faith when making the Way of the Cross.

2. I promise eternal life to those who from time to time pray the Way of the Cross.

3. I will follow them everywhere in life, and I will help them especially at the hour of death.

4. Even if they have more sins than blades of grass in the fields and grains of sand in the sea, all of these sins will be erased by The Way of the Cross. (This promise does not eliminate the obligation to confess all mortal sins and this before receiving Holy Communion.)

5. Those who pray the Way of the Cross often will have a special glory in Heaven.

6. I will deliver them from purgatory - indeed, if they go there at all - the first Tuesday or Friday after their death.

7. I will bless them at each Way of the Cross, and My blessing will follow them everywhere on earth and after death, in Heaven for all eternity.

8. At the hour of death I will not permit the Devil to tempt them; I will lift all power from him in order that they may repose tranquilly in My arms.

9. If they pray it with true love, I will make each one of them a living ciborium in which it will please Me to pour My grace.

10. I will fix My eyes on those who pray The Way of the Cross often; My hands will always be open to protect them.

11. As I am nailed to the Cross, so also will I always be with those who honor Me in making the Way of the Cross frequently.

12. They will never be able to separate themselves from Me, for I will give them the grace never to commit a mortal sin.

13. At the hour of death I will console them with My presence, and we will go together to Heaven. Death will be sweet to all those who have honored Me during their lives by praying the Way of the Cross.

14. My soul will be a protective shield for them and will always help them whenever they have recourse to it.

Source: ST.Michael Center for the Blessed Virgin Mary, Honolulu, Hl 96814

I will not fear as I believe in God's promises for me

We all go through and experience difficult times which are like storms in our lives. We have to put full trust and faith in God and His Words and he will calm the storms and deliver us from all difficulties.

Luke 8:22-25

Jesus Calms a Storm

22 One day Jesus got into a boat with his disciples and said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they started out. 23 As they were sailing, Jesus fell asleep. Suddenly a strong wind blew down on the lake, and the boat began to fill with water, so that they were all in great danger. 24 The disciples went to Jesus and woke him up, saying, “Master, Master! We are about to die!”

Jesus got up and gave an order to the wind and to the stormy water; they quieted down, and there was a great calm. 25 Then he said to the disciples, “Where is your faith?”

But they were amazed and afraid, and said to one another, “Who is this man? He gives orders to the winds and waves, and they obey him!”

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Stand firm in the grace given to you by your heavenly Father and say, "I will believe God's promises for me and walk in the way of His plan for my life because my hope is in Christ.

The greatness of our fears shows us the littleness of our faith. We need to pray about our fears and our faith, and turn to the Lord for help to face our fears.

Isaiah 41:10

Do not be afraid—I am with you!

I am your God—let nothing terrify you!

I will make you strong and help you;

I will protect you and save you.

Acts 18:10

for I am with you. 

No one will be able to harm you, 

for many in this city are my people.

Jeremiah 29:11

I alone know the plans I have for you, 

plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, 

plans to bring about the future you hope for.

Psalm 34:4

I sought the LORD,

and He answered me,

And delivered me from all my fears.

Almighty God grant me your MERCY and let me find PEACE in You.

Glory Be 

to 

Our Father 

in heaven forever and ever !