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.
