December
22

Search Earnestly for the Young Child.

But having heard, Herod the king was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him… And sending them to Bethlehem, he said, Go and search earnestly for the young Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, that I also may come and worship Him. (Matthew 2:3, 8)

The words that Joseph here spoke to his brothers: “You thought evil against me, God thought it for good, in order to do as it is this day, to make alive a great people” are words which contain within them a secret of heaven. The secret is this: In the other life the Lord permits infernal spirits to lead the good into temptation, consequently to pour in evils and falsities. But the Lord Himself is then present with those in temptation, both immediately, and mediately by angels, and resists by rebutting the falsities of the infernal spirits, and by dissipating their evil, thus giving refreshment, hope, and victory. Thus, with those who are in the truths of good, the truths of faith and the goods of charity are more inwardly implanted and more strongly confirmed. (Arcana Coelestia 6574:2)

While a man is being reformed, good and evil are brought together, and then conflict and combat arise. This, if severe, is called temptation; but if not severe, what takes place is like the fermentation of wine or strong drink. If good then conquers, evil with its falsity is removed to the outskirts, as, to use a comparison, the lees fall to the bottom of a vessel; and the good is like wine that becomes generous after fermentation and like strong drink that becomes clear. (Divine Providence 284)

How great are Thy deeds, O Jehovah!
Thy thoughts are exceedingly deep.
When the wicked flourish as the herb,
And all the workers of iniquity flower,
Yet it is for them to be blotted out forever and ever.
(Psalm 92:5, 7)

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