I probably wrote about this in the past but bear with me, I mean, it IS supposed to be a surprise.
A number of years back, the young daughter of a friend was excited about Christmas plans at her house, and happily told them to me. At a certain point I asked her: You do know whose birthday it is, don’t you? Jesus, she responded. And then I asked her if she had ever received a birthday present that was a complete surprise to her, and she readily said yes and gave examples. So, I then asked her: “What could you give Jesus on His birthday that would be a delightful surprise to Him?” She paused, then said she’d have to think about that.
Today a friend texted me that she would not be at the adoration chapel this afternoon at the time I usually see her there. She has relatives in for a few days, and they are exchanging Christmas gifts today. I responded that she shouldn’t forget whose birthday it is, and plan on a gift for Him also. Her text back said that she has already offered up her life to Him. And this time it was me who paused in response.
But later, in the adoration chapel, I said my daily prayers for the poor souls in Purgatory, and the thought came to me that God delights in these souls being released perhaps a bit sooner because of the prayers we offered. So I texted back to my friend that perhaps she could say a rosary on Christmas Day for the intention of a single soul to get to heaven that day, which perhaps would not but for her prayers. I thought that would make Jesus happy on His birthday, and He could offer the unexpected arrival of that soul in heaven to the Father, as a gift made possible by His cross and her rosary prayer. My friend liked that idea.
And thinking of the powerful impact of prayers, some of which I’ve shown here, that idea really excites me too. A surprise birthday present for Jesus! Wow!
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