Sunday, December 9, 2018

Prepare the Way of the Lord


Think of Christmas – Baby Jesus, Santa, Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph
2nd Sunday of Advent – Meet unusual figure of John the Baptist
Sure can’t find him in Walmart!
But he says -  Prepare the way of the Lord.

You  are very involved in preparing - Presents – cards – decorating
Putting up the Christmas Tree

Think about – strange thing – cutting down a tree – bring it inside – hang stuff on it
Jesus – very connected with trees  -  carpenter – manger – boat - cross

Christmas Trees thanks to our German friends
Something about evergreen – stays green in winter – sign of eternal life.
One day, Martin Luther walking through woods – sees star light through trees – idea of candles – sure it did not go over big with fire departments   better with electric
Put angel or star on top
Angel – Glory to God   Star – star of Bethlehem

For a long while a Prot thing  -  Took a while for Catholics to embrace it -  John Paul II brought Christmas tree to Vatican 1982

The Largest Christmas tree in the world - Gubbio
Popes have blessed the tree.  3 Wishes:

1)     Looking at tree – not just look at bottom - not look just to material things  -  but causes us to gaze up – toward heaven – toward God
Wish that this Christmas   – look upward to God
Remember Baptist  -   he must increase – I must decreased  - I am not worthy to untie his sandals.

2) A light shown on the shepherds  - we too need that light – a light to show us the path of light amid darkness, fears and worries      who is our light?  – baby born is a stable – John the Baptist said -   Look, the Lamb of God.

3) Tree is made up of many lights -  Would look strange to see just 1 light   Wish is that we step out of selfishness makes us think only of ourselves  to  become lights for others 
JB  light of truth, justice & love

God of all creation,
we praise you for our Christmas trees
which brings beauty and memories and the
promise of life to our homes.
May your blessing be upon all who gather
around our trees,
all who keep the Christmas festival by its lights.
We wait for the coming of the Christ,
the days of everlasting justice and peace.
You are our God, living and reigning, for ever
and ever.