“The time of our salvation draws near. Make ready, O cave! The Virgin draws near to bear the Christ. Be glad and rejoice, O Bethlehem, land of Judah, for our Lord has come from thee!” (Pre-Festal Hymn)

“The time of our salvation draws near. Make ready, O cave! The Virgin draws near to bear the Christ. Be glad and rejoice, O Bethlehem, land of Judah, for our Lord has come from thee!” (Pre-Festal Hymn)

As this holiday season draws upon us, it is not uncommon for those with even a marginal faith to think of Christ’s Birth. We are all deeply touched by the solemnity and beauty of the Nativity scene and are often resolved to become more committed; that much more faithful. Yet as Christmas passes and the New Year sets in, we are seemingly led further and further away from the Manger. There is great danger in “drawing near” to Christ, but never making a firm commitment. And every time we put it off, it becomes just that much harder to do next time.

Be resolved, therefore, to offer the New-Born King the best gift of all by pledging your heart, your mind, and your soul to Christ. This is the greatest gift and far better than the Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh that the Wise Men gave our Lord. For those gifts were temporal, while the gift of our soul is eternal.

Fr. John