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Before I Forget&
December! What a great month for most of us. There's so much to do and to enjoy. Children are more excited than ever, and some adults, too. People are shopping for those special gifts. Homes are being decorated with trees, flowers and lights. Don't you enjoy all those homemade cookies and sweets? There are holiday parties with friends and neighbors, plus the excitement of the kids coming home for the holidays, or your own travel plans. And that special person in your life is buying you something special. It's a time of expectations and excitement& and that's the way it should be if we are to keep our spirits up in this dark, cold and bleak season.
The Advent readings for Mass are full of expectation, great hopes and optimism that seem to lead us to an age free of conflict, a world without struggles. The prophet, Isaiah, writes: 'Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill will be laid low; winding ways will be straightened and rough roads made smooth; and all mankind shall see the salvation of God.' And my own favorite from Isaiah: 'He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many people; and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war anymore.' Isaiah seems to be telling us that all our problems, worries, fears, etc., will vanish when the Messiah comes.
History tells us a different story. After 2000+ Advents and 2000+ Christmases, life is pretty much the same for the most part. There is still talk of war and wars going on all around the globe. Folks are still poor in many parts of the world. As we listen to the Advent scriptures, what are our expectations for 2003? As we sing, 'Glory to God in the highest and people to His people on earth& ' what do we expect and get excited about? Can there really be peace?
John the Baptist calls us to prepare a way for the Lord. He tells that one who is mightier than he is close. He cries out, 'Behold the Lamb of God.' John is telling us to welcome Jesus Christ into our lives. The world will be the "same old, same old" in January 1, 2003. Isaiah and John the Baptist are not talking a changed world but a changed you, a changed me.
What happens to a Christian when he or she welcomes Christ to his or her life? We still live as human beings with all the struggles that humans face, but we receive the grace to endure those struggles. War may become a reality, but Christ promises that we shall not be afraid. We won't understand everything, but we will find the strength to live the mysteries of life. We will still worry, but Christ tells us not to worry about tomorrow& just today. He is our strength. When we give ourselves totally to Christ, we are a new creation. We receive so much inner peace and strength when we are in a loving relationship with the Lord Jesus.
John the Baptist tells us to follow him. To where? Jesus doesn't invite us to a "magical" kingdom. He calls us to live our lives in this wonderful world and he will shepherd us through the rough and crazy times of our lives. As each one of us deals with hurts and disappointments of life, we remember that He is the Light of our lives, our world.
Advent and Christmas is an invitation to trust God's great gift to us, Jesus Christ. This "gift" renews us 365 days a year. All we have to do is to be true to Him. We are never discouraged nor a loser as long as we are true to Him. What excitement can be ours as we love and trust the Christ.
See you on Christmas,
Fr. Bill
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