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The Three Holy Youths
 Nebudchadnezzar was a King whose empire capture Jerusalem in 587BC. He was so full of himself that he decided to build an image of himself in gold that was 90 feet high. When he built it, he sent out a decree that said that everyone who lived in the kingdom should bow down and worship his statue. Those people who believed that God was the one and only would not do that!!! The Jews suffered because of this and many were tortured. The three youths, Hananiah (Ananias), Azariah (Azarias) and Mishael (Misael) worked for the King and when he saw that they refused to bow down, the King was furious!! In fact, he told them if they didn’t do it, they would face the torture of the fiery furnace. He even dared to say to them, “ And what God is there that can deliver you out of my hands?” The three youths stood their ground and were courageous!! They told him that her could do as he pleased and that even if God did not wish to save them, they would worship only GOD or father. Now Nebudchadnezzar was so very mad!!! He had the Three Youths cast into the fiery furnace. The furnace was so hot, that it burned the Kings followers as they cast the Youths into the fire.
Miracle:
The Three Youths were not burned but were walking around the furnace, untouched by the fire. Additionally, there was a fourth young man that appeared in the midst of them, and was illuminated by a great light. (It was Christ, before he came into the world, a huge prophecy in the book of Daniel). As the youths walked around the furnace, they prayed and with this vision, the King called them out of the furnace, none were harmed, their clothes were not even singed. At this point, Nebudchanezzar, in shock, issued a decree that there only ONE True God and that anyone who spoke against Him (God), would be executed!!!
What we learned from these special saints:
We are to love God’s will more than anything on earth!!
They were faithful to God
They hope in Him, believed in Him and trusted Him and love him more than anyone.
They trusted in God’s promises as we should “and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”(Rom. 8:28)
In tough times, Christ is near to us.
Christ showed Himself to the Youths when they were in the flames. He allowed them to chose to follow God (remember Christ had not been born yet). They were given a prophecy, that the coming of the Lord was near. We must be patient for the Lord to show himself to us. When we go through hard time, God helps us through these times. FAITH!!!!
Nothing should keep us from prayer
The Three Holy Youths were praying in the furnace
They were being burned, but they united in prayer and spared.
Feast Day of the Three Holy Youths: December 17
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