Christmastime is here! We’re all happy about the gifts and the great meals, but the most important thing is being able to celebrate together the birth of Jesus, our Savior.
In the workplace or when I attended gatherings with friends, it surprised me to see that atheists, agnostics, and practicing and non-practicing Catholics alike all celebrated Christmas the same way: exchanging gifts and sharing a meal. I would ask myself, “Do they believe or not?” It was confusing because throughout the year they would deny Jesus or say they didn’t believe when we had long conversations about God. They would act like the Jews in the first reading who argued with Stephen.
Many times our ears or eyes are closed to hearing or reading the Word of God, but we must open our hearts and minds to accept that Jesus came into this world to save us from sin. Jesus’ Mother, the Virgin Mary, has even appeared throughout the world, which is real proof that Jesus exists. Something to consider is that many of us learn that the Earth is round and we believe it to be true without actually having been to outer space to see it for ourselves. If we can believe the Earth is round then we should easily be able to believe in God. Don’t harden your hearts!
Many of us have testimonies of how God has worked in us at different times in our lives that we can share with others. In today’s Gospel, it says, “you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans“. Our testimony can plant a seed of faith in others and perhaps it will spark their curiosity and open their hearts to God.
The greatest gift God gave us was the birth of Jesus, Who gave His life to save us from sin. Have a wonderful Christmas season, and may the Lord, our God, enlighten us all.
¡Llegó la Navidad! Todos estamos felices por los regalos, y las grandes comidas pero lo más importante es poder estar todos unidos celebrando el nacimiento de Jesus, nuestro Salvador.
Cuando trabajaba o asistía a reuniones de amigos, me sorprendía que los ateos, agnósticos y católicos practicantes o no practicantes celebran la Navidad igual, con intercambio de regalos y una comida. Por dentro me preguntaban ¿creen o no creen? Era confuso porque durante el año negaban a Jesus o decían no creer cuando teníamos largas conversaciones sobre Dios, se ponían cómo los judios en la primera lectura que discutieron con Esteban.
Muchas veces nuestros oídos u ojos están cerrados para escuchar o leer la palabra de Dios, pero debemos estar abiertos de corazón y mente para aceptar que Jesus vino a este mundo para salvarnos del pecado. También la Madre de Jesús, la Virgen Maria, ha tenido apariciones alrededor del mundo, que es una prueba real de que Jesus existe. Muchos de nosotros aprendemos que la forma de la tierra es redonda y creemos que la tierra tiene esa forma pero no hemos estado en el espacio para ver si realmente es redonda. Si creemos en la forma de la tierra, entonces se puede creer en Dios fácilmente. ¡No endurezcan su corazón!
Muchos tenemos testimonios de cómo Dios obró sobre nosotros en diferentes momentos de la vida que podemos compartir con los demás. En el evangelio de hoy dice, “así darán testimonio de mí ante ellos y ante los paganos”. Nuestro testimonio puede plantar una semilla de fe en la persona que nos escucha y de repente por ahí le entra curiosidad y abre su corazón de Dios.
El mejor regalo que nos dio Dios fue el nacimiento de Jesus, que con su vida nos salvó del pecado. Tengan una Feliz temporada de Navidad y que el Señor, nuestro Dios, nos ilumine a todos.
Felix Urcia was born in Lima, Peru. He moved the U.S. to complete his college degree in Computer Science at Northern Kentucky University. He is passionate about his faith, his family, education and soccer. When he is not homeschooling and caring for his young children he enjoys personal programing projects and sports analysis. He and wife live in a small town in Western Michigan where they enjoy spending time with their five children.
Feature Image Credit: Pranav Prashar, unsplash.com/photos/a-lit-up-christmas-tree-in-front-of-a-building-bJjEQrar0uw
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
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