Third Sunday of Advent
In today’s Gospel the crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” to prepare for the coming of the Lord. It is a question we should ask ourselves in preparation for our personal celebration of Christmas day.
Simple Christmas trees about us might help us find the answer. They are all lit up, heavily decorated, symbols of cheer, joy and giving, As we read in Psalm 17: “”[A]ll the trees of the wood will clap their hands for he is coming, the ruler, to an eternal kingdom.” So, are we inclined to see even ordinary Christmas trees giving praise to the Lord for he is coming soon?
Does the common presence of a decorated Christmas tree help me to open my eyes on myself and to others? What is my destination and theirs? Why are the people I deal with on a daily basis put into my life? Isn’t being more human, more fraternal a kind of spiritual eggnog that prepares me well for Christmas morning?
Resolve: Preparing for Christ to come into my life this coming Christmas and to bring him to others makes me realize how ineffective I am. So, I shall say special prayers to the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph Blessed Virgin asking them to obtain for me the grace the Lord gives to Christmas trees.