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Wednesday, December 16, 2015

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Isaiah 45:6-8, 18, 21-25
Psalm 85:9-14
Luke 7:18-23

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shhh!

"I will hear what God proclaims." —Psalm 85:9

As we near Christmas, I believe the Spirit's word to the churches is: "Shhh." The Lord is putting His finger to His mouth and telling us to quiet down, to settle down, or we will miss Christ's quiet, unassuming Christmas coming. He comes to us "like dew from above, like gentle rain" (Is 45:8). If we don't have "silent nights," we won't have "holy nights." If we don't have quiet, we may not have Christmas. There may be no room for Him in our noisy inn (Lk 2:7).

At this time of year, the world turns up the volume, providing almost constant racket and noise. We bombard ourselves with TVs, radios, and movies. We can't put down our electronic devices. The devil is attempting to rob us of Christmas by drowning out Jesus. The Christ of Christmas often speaks in a still, small voice (1 Kgs 19:12-13). Only those who are quiet enough will hear Him. "Shhh." He's coming.

Prayer:  (Please spend 15 minutes of silence in the presence of the Lord today.)

Promise:  "Jesus gave this response: 'Go and report to John what you have seen and heard. The blind recover their sight, cripples walk, lepers are cured, the deaf hear, dead men are raised to life, and the poor have the good news preached to them.' " —Lk 7:22

Praise:  Celeste spends time in eucharistic adoration every week.

Reference:  (Grow in your love of silent adoration by reading the Bible every day. We have several tape series to order or several digital series to order or download to help you at presentationministries.com. Overview of the Bible is six audio tapes starting with AV 10A-1 or CD 10A-1 or three video tapes starting with V-10A or DVD 10A. 15-minute Bible Teaching - New Testament is forty audio tapes starting with #700. It is also available on our website starting with CD 700. An Introduction to each Book of the Bible is 32 audio tapes starting with AV 21-1 or CD 21 or 17 video tapes starting with V-21 or DVD 21.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 2015

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