In our world, when the wolf visits the lamb for supper, the lamb becomes the main course. The viper bites and poisons any baby venturing within range, and the lion eats the ox instead of the hay (cf Is 11:6-8). In our world, the strong survive. It's survival of the fittest. Our world glamorizes the predators, not the prey. For example, we call our sports teams Lions, not Lambs or Kids.

On God's holy mountain, there's a new order. The lion passes up red meat in favor of the salad bar. The lamb shares a meal with the wolf, and the leopard naps with the kid goat. Little babes, and even their parents, can sleep with snakes. The Lord promises: "There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain" (Is 11:9).

How can this be? We can't relate to this kind of world order; it's like nothing we've ever experienced or thought possible. God's word reveals that we can relate to His new creation because "the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as water covers the sea" (Is 11:9).

How can we have this knowledge of the Lord? We must stop preying, start praying, and "become like little children" (Mt 18:3). In childlike innocence, we will be able to receive the revelations Jesus shares with "the merest children" (Lk 10:21).

You are preparing to meet the Baby Jesus on Christmas, Who came to earth as a little Child. Become a little child yourself, and meet the Christ-Child at the level of a child. Then you'll be able to partake in His new world order of innocence and peace.

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 17, 2008

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