home equity?
"Here I am living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God dwells in a tent!" —2 Samuel 7:2
"Here I live, in a house of wood and brick, while the Son of God is coming to earth without a home of His own."
"Here I sit, eating my three meals a day, while the Son of God is about to be laid in an animal feeding trough."
"Here I sleep, in a comfortable bed, with pillow, sheets, and blankets, while Mary, the new ark of God, is about to give birth to the Son of God in a barn."
If these thoughts resemble your own as the celebration of the birth of Christ approaches, then you share the heart of King David. He couldn't rest until God had a home more befitting His majesty (see Ps 132:1-5; 2 Sm 7:2).
Jesus, the Son of God, came to this earth in homeless poverty, welcomed only by the poorest shepherds (Lk 2:16ff). Because we are consumed by love for Jesus, we long for Him to be welcomed everywhere on this earth. We long to give Him the home that He desires: a dwelling place in the heart of every person on earth (see 1 Tm 2:4).
Stirred by love and gratitude for Jesus, we say: "Here I live, with the full revelation of God's saving plan through Your birth and saving death (Eph 1:9-10), while over three billion of my fellow humans are not yet aware that You are God. I will do everything I can to make You a home in as many hearts as possible. Welcome, Savior, to our world."
Prayer: "Great are You, Lord God! There is none like You and there is no God but You" (2 Sm 7:22). Receive my heart and my life.
Promise: "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for He has visited and brought redemption to His people." —Lk 1:68
Praise: "The promises of the Lord I will sing forever, proclaim Your loyalty through all ages" (Ps 89:2).
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by one of our editors.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend David L. Zink, June 12, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 13, 2002