Even though the winter weather is a bit of a downer, and even though consumerism permeates the season; the decorations, images, and music still serve as excellent reminders of the true source of joy of the season—we celebrate Christ.
For example, the evergreen wreaths and Christmas trees remind us of the undying love of God, always green and fresh, even in the middle of darkest, coldest winter. That God loves us, even in the dark times of our life, fills us with joy.
The lights and glittering bulbs remind us that Christ's light came to conquer the darkness of sin and ignorance, and that more beautiful than the most elaborate Christmas light display is the human soul which shines with the light of Christ.
The symbol serving as the greatest reminder are the manger scenes. Many of you have started to assemble your manger scenes in your homes or even your yards: a wonderful way of reminding the surrounding neighborhood of the sacred event we prepare for this season.
In many places Catholics wait until the feast of the Immaculate Conception to erect their manger scenes, and many have the custom of not laying the figure of the baby Jesus in the manger until Christmas eve. Whatever your custom, our manger scenes remind us that God truly became one of us, born a babe in Bethlehem’s plain, son of God and son of Mary, born to save us from our sins.
And this is the cause of our joy, that we are saved. He is the proof that we are not abandoned by God to the evil and violence and selfishness of the world. He is the proof that sin does not get the last word, that God does come to deliver us, that sin isn’t allowed to reign in us; that God does come to fill us with light and joy and peace.
Many of our neighbors, colleagues, and family members, unfortunately have forgotten this truth; they get wrapped up in the superficial, they can’t see who the lights, the trees, the decorations, the presents, point to.
In the Gospel, we heard of a man whose entire life was focused on pointing to Christ. John the Baptist had been imprisoned for preaching about Jesus. He wasn’t a fool or a madman, he knew that preaching about Jesus had political repercussions. But he was a man of faith, who believed that preaching about Jesus Christ was worth dying for.
John knew that if you weren’t prepared for Jesus by turning away from sin, you might just miss him…just like so many in our culture do today.
News of John’s imprisonment spread to Jesus, and upon hearing John was facing imminent death, Jesus, as we heard in the Gospel, spoke to the crowds about John. Who did you go out to the desert to see? Jesus asked. Remember, John had drawn people out to the desert from miles around. This was no small feat. Many traveled great distances; the terrain was difficult; provisions had to be hauled along; and for most, the trip home, was a grueling uphill climb out of the Jordan valley.
What brought you? To see a reed swayed by the wind? Jesus asked. In other words, did you go out to see a people pleaser, to listen to someone who is easily swayed by public opinion and who relays back to the public only what they want to hear? Did you come out to the desert simply to be entertained? Similarly, why did you come to church today? Simply, to be entertained? I think not. There are certainly more entertaining venues than this.
Jesus, then dug a little deeper: did you go out to the desert just to see someone dressed in fine clothing? Some people are very attracted by wealth, celebrity. They dream about becoming best friends with Hollywood movie stars. John’s concern wasn’t about forming a cult of adoring fans.
Jesus, then revealed the real reason so many went to see John: they longed to hear the words of the prophet. Our deepest longing is for God, and John was sharing with them, how best to prepare for God. You want joy, you want peace, you want deliverance? Prepare your hearts for God.
When we come to Church a deep desire in us is fulfilled, whether we recognize that or not; a desire to give to God the worship we owe Him, the desire to open our minds and hearts to be formed by God, our souls to be nourished by God. This is why people were going out into the desert, this is the reason they went to so much effort and were attracted by this very strange preacher, who ate locusts and dressed in camel hair.
This Advent we recognize the need to focus more deeply on the message of John the Baptist; that if we truly desire to experience Christmas joy, we must prepare our hearts well, by repenting of our sins, by engaging in daily prayer and meditation and acts of mercy.
But also, we recognize that we are called to be like John, to call others to focus on what really matters. Perhaps it means putting up a manger scene in your yard or house for visitors to see; perhaps, you might invite a fallen away Catholic to our Advent penance service, to speak to them about the importance of living the faith and confessing their sins and going to mass.
John was willing to suffer for Jesus, to be imprisoned and even to be martyred. It may surprise you, and it’s somewhat of a paradox, but that willingness to suffer for Jesus is the key to deep Christian joy.
Rejoice, the Lord is close! Prepare your hearts well for his coming, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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