THE DAY

DEVOTIONAL

Every year the same question arises: when was Jesus born?

 What is certain – according to an ancient convention of the Catholic Church – is that we celebrate his Glorious Birth in order to «christianise» the pagan celebration of the winter solstice.

Is it important to know the exact day? Not at all. This is for the simple reason that what is important is the fulfilment of the prophecy that in humble Bethlehem, the child who would change the history of mankind would be born.

All the rest is merely an unnecessary distraction from what is truly important. As always, we lose our way in a froth of fanciful speculation, thus losing sight of what is significant and relevant.

The Word was made Flesh and God left for us his message of salvation, which is the fundamental reason for His presence in the land promised to Abraham.

Jesus was born of His people and among His people, possibly on a day at the beginning of autumn in the Orient, the day which we celebrate with great joy this month.

Matthew 1: 20-21
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

 Diego Acosta / Neide Ferreira

Traducción: Sthepen Down

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THAT WHICH IS HIDDEN

DEVOTIONAL

When we become aware of an alarming or otherwise difficult situation, we should be extremely careful: to form a seriously wrong opinion is all too easy; we may even be tempted to cast judgement on those involved.

For several days, after being told about a very difficult situation affecting a family – who are our friends – these thoughts were in my mind and close to my heart.

After stifling the temptation to open my mouth, and thus cast judgement, the Holy Spirit imposed upon me self control and I began to pray. This was wise, not as far as I personally was concerned but as regards the Spirit: very soon afterwards I learned something about this troubling family drama that earlier I’d been unaware of.

Thus I understood the wisdom of holding my tongue and the importance of obeying the work of the Spirit, so as not to cast judgement and to hope that that which is hidden will be revealed. To have done otherwise would have been doubly wrong: not only would I have judged the situation; that judgement would have been mistaken.

Matthew 10:26
Fear them not therefore:
for there is nothing covered,
that shall not be revealed;
and hid, that shall not be known.

Diego Acosta / Neide Ferreira
Translation: Stephen Downs

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WHAT WOULD HAPPEN?

DEVOTIONAL

As I recalled a passage from Jesus’ ministry, I asked myself what would happen if He asked me to follow Him, as He had asked those who were to become His disciples. Though the two sets of circumstances are distinct, by listening carefully to the words each of them contain I can conclude that His command is for me personally.

When you offered water to a person who was thirsty and in need, you were also offering that water to me. So too, when you commanded that your message be spread afar, you were commanding that I play my personal part in this. We often make the mistake of believing that generalised commandments do not require that we too respect and obey them. Every commandment must, however, be understood as applying to us personally, even though we might prefer not to hear it, or find inconvenient or otherwise dislike the manner in which we are required to obey it.

I can ask myself two questions: What would happen if I disobey one of God’s commands? What would happen if God himself became tired of my rebelliousness? Our commitment must, therefore, be ever firm and unyielding.

Salmo 119:148

Mine eyes prevent the night watches,
that I might meditate in thy word.

Diego Acosta / Neide Ferreira

Translation: Stephen Downs

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DISPOSITION

DEVOTIONAL

A reading of the first chapter of the Book of Numbers can be somewhat surprising, even strange. We might ask why Jehovah invested such effort in defining the positions of those allowed to camp around the Tabernacle. Why was this so?

A personal answer might lead us to analyse Jehovah’s concern that by making His instructions to Moses and Aaron clear, each of the tribes of Israel would be certain as to the exact nature of the order they should obey.

If God cared about His tribes, why should He not care, too, about each of their individual members? Why is it so hard for me to understand His concern for my life? The Lord has always been concerned about Israel and I am certain, too, that He has always cared about my life. Knowing this, I must always follow and obey God’s instructions to me, even though I fail to understand them or find them strange.

Numbers 2:2

Everyone of the children of Israel shall camp by his own standard, beside the emblems of his father’s house; they shall camp some distance from the tabernacle of meeting.

Diego Acosta / Neide Ferreira
Translation: Stephen Downs

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