Purgatory: The Realm of true Forgiveness!
Christmas is spelled with Hope!
From Zechariah “not by an army, nor by might, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts.” (Zec 4: 6):
Isaiah answered when the words from the Lord “Whom shall I send?” “Who will go for us?” I answered “Here I am, I said; Send me!” (Is 6: 8).
“Through faith with Moses guiding them, they found more than food, they believed in the blessings God would give to them for all their lives.” (Ex. 16: 1 - 19).
“As the visions of the night continued, I saw One like a son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven; When he reached the Ancient One and was presented before him, he received dominion, glory, and kingship; nations and peoples of every language serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not be taken away, his kingdom shall not be destroyed.” (Dn 7: 13 - 14).
Tinsel and bells, lights and glee, they all spell joy for a time to cheer, a moment of peace to all who believe. But beyond the excitement of the signs of giving lies deep within the feeling of hope.
Each of the preceding excerpts spell out the words of hope found in Bethlehem's welcoming attitude of a new word found in the annals of life; The Incarnation of divinity taking on humanity. Nowhere shall such a miracle ever exist anymore. As prophets have spoken the greatest encyclical ever written, the most astounding verse ever proclaimed will never exceed this complete essence from God as when His Only Son gave up Heaven’s security and took on humanity to give you and me and all human beings Hope through forgiveness of sin.
Hanging across the streets of life a banner states; “Hope Through the Incarnation of Christ” which is God’s gift to us at Christmas!
Ralph B. Hathaway