07 Jan Christmas Every Day (1 Jn 4:10) by Diane Overmann
Posted on Tuesday 07 January, 2014
Welcome God now with this LIFE Runners Devotion (FB) provided by Team Leaders and Guest Authors.
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“In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.” ~ 1 Jn 4:10 (full readings)
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Diane’s Reflections: Christmas blessings. Yes, most decorations are down, gifts have been exchanged, and most cookie jars are empty. But maybe in the down time of early January, we can take a few minutes to relish the wonder and awe of Christmas, the real blessings. All my life I have heard of God’s love. I can look at the crib on Christmas Eve and tear up at “Silent Night.” I can think of the tremendous love expressed by God when He became human. The blessings God has given me personally have been so numerous they would fill more than a few baskets with extras as in today’s Gospel. Answered prayers and help and guidance have always been there for me. Yet, I let myself return to the pains, the confusions, and the fears of today and wonder where my loving God is. I don’t want to slip into the January blues, but instead I want to continue to relish the wonder of Christmas. Christ is present among us today and every day, 365 days a year. “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say Rejoice.”
In January, we also relive the court decision that opened doors to legal abortion. The number of abortions is astonishing, but God is still present in the hearts of those of various faiths who stand up to demand respect for all Life. I need not ask again, “where is God?”, because God is present among all those who work to end this crime against Life, and also among all who work to forgive those who have participated in this evil. Look in your own heart and see Christ present today. Again, I return to the Christmas season. Do we let the joy, the energy, the enthusiasm, the faith of Christmas be put out with the empty boxes and dead trees and broken ornaments? I choose to believe that God so loves the world so much that there are baskets overflowing with leftover fragments of God’s blessings. And thus God is winning. I don’t know of any team I would rather choose. Christmas blessings from my heart to yours for the whole year.
* Diane Overmann is the Faith Formation Director at St. Clare Catholic School in O’Fallon, IL. She also presents catechist classes for the Diocese of Belleville, IL.
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Faith Challenge: Each month on the 25th spend a few minutes mindfully holding on to the peace, joy, faith offered each Christmas. Stand in wonder of how God conquers sin. Is that miracle not worth a few minutes each month?
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Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel.
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Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to end abortion. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day: Saint Crispin.
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Faith Quote: “He will rejoice over you with singing.” ~ Zephaniah 3:17
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Through Christ Our Lord,
Diane
.
“In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.” ~ 1 Jn 4:10 (full readings)
.
Diane’s Reflections: Christmas blessings. Yes, most decorations are down, gifts have been exchanged, and most cookie jars are empty. But maybe in the down time of early January, we can take a few minutes to relish the wonder and awe of Christmas, the real blessings. All my life I have heard of God’s love. I can look at the crib on Christmas Eve and tear up at “Silent Night.” I can think of the tremendous love expressed by God when He became human. The blessings God has given me personally have been so numerous they would fill more than a few baskets with extras as in today’s Gospel. Answered prayers and help and guidance have always been there for me. Yet, I let myself return to the pains, the confusions, and the fears of today and wonder where my loving God is. I don’t want to slip into the January blues, but instead I want to continue to relish the wonder of Christmas. Christ is present among us today and every day, 365 days a year. “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say Rejoice.”
In January, we also relive the court decision that opened doors to legal abortion. The number of abortions is astonishing, but God is still present in the hearts of those of various faiths who stand up to demand respect for all Life. I need not ask again, “where is God?”, because God is present among all those who work to end this crime against Life, and also among all who work to forgive those who have participated in this evil. Look in your own heart and see Christ present today. Again, I return to the Christmas season. Do we let the joy, the energy, the enthusiasm, the faith of Christmas be put out with the empty boxes and dead trees and broken ornaments? I choose to believe that God so loves the world so much that there are baskets overflowing with leftover fragments of God’s blessings. And thus God is winning. I don’t know of any team I would rather choose. Christmas blessings from my heart to yours for the whole year.
* Diane Overmann is the Faith Formation Director at St. Clare Catholic School in O’Fallon, IL. She also presents catechist classes for the Diocese of Belleville, IL.
.
Faith Challenge: Each month on the 25th spend a few minutes mindfully holding on to the peace, joy, faith offered each Christmas. Stand in wonder of how God conquers sin. Is that miracle not worth a few minutes each month?
.
Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel.
.
Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to end abortion. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
.
Feast Day: Saint Crispin.
.
Faith Quote: “He will rejoice over you with singing.” ~ Zephaniah 3:17
.
Through Christ Our Lord,
Diane
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