three days before christmas
“I prayed for this child.” —1 Samuel 1:27
The voices in the secular world proclaim: “There are only three shopping days left until Christmas.” The voices in the kingdom of God proclaim: “There are only three repenting days left until Jesus’ birthday.”
For three days before Easter, the Church observes the Triduum. We keep vigil for three days, awaiting the Resurrection of the Lord. In a similar way, spend these three days before Christmas repenting, rejoicing, praising, and thanking God for loving us so much as to send His only begotten Son to us — the very best Christmas gift (Jn 3:16). Today, we have the opportunity to keep vigil at the manger, repenting (Lk 3:3), preparing the way of the Lord (Mt 3:3), and awaiting the birth of our Savior.
We have been preparing for the Christmas coming of Christ now for three weeks of Advent. Let’s have a strong finish to the Advent season by keeping vigil for these final three days. Instead of frantic rushes to shop for Christmas gifts, let us choose the better part (see Lk 10:42): to sit at the manger and prepare a welcome for Baby Jesus. We don’t want Him to have to ask, “Why was no one there when I came?” (Is 50:2) “Let every heart prepare Him room.”
Prayer: “My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn. More than sentinels wait for the dawn,” I will wait for You, Lord (Ps 130:6-7).
Promise: “He has upheld Israel His servant, ever mindful of His mercy; even as He promised our fathers, promised Abraham and his descendants forever.”
Praise: “O King of all the nations, the only Joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature You fashioned from the dust.”
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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