A few more days and we will celebrate with great joy the birth of our Savior! We are told to look, see, pay attention, lift our heads, be alert, for a great messenger is coming who will point to the Savior.
In today’s Gospel, Elizabeth and Zechariah rejoice in naming their son John and right away neighbors are concerned and start discussing the whole situation, wondering “What, then, will this child be? For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.”
John points us to Jesus. He never claims to be anything other than what he is. There is a lesson in that for all of us. Our world often confuses us. We admire people for so many reasons and look for their advice on how we are to live. They are often people who have fame and great wealth, but it sometimes seems like it is all smoke and mirrors, nothing substantial behind the façade of being popular or an influencer.
John was not concerned with being an influencer. I doubt that he tried to convince people to lose weight on the locust and wild honey eating plan or trade their linen clothes for ones of camel hair. He was concerned with the truth and leading others to Jesus. He called people to repentance so they would be ready for the Savior.
Which brings us to now. Today. Are you ready? Have you prepared yourself for the birth of Jesus? We have had four weeks of Advent and Christmas is upon us. If you think you had a less than stellar Advent, it is not too late. And this does not require any shopping or even leaving your house.
Go off to a quiet spot in your house. Open your Bible and read Luke Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, verses 1-38. There are a few canticles in that section and prayers of thanksgiving. Pray those slowly. And then sit for ten minutes or so and allow God’s peace to fill you. Then, write out a prayer of praise and thanks for all you have received this past year. You may find your Christmas is much more full of rejoicing.
¡En pocos días celebraremos con gran alegría el nacimiento de nuestro Salvador! Se nos dice que miremos, veamos, prestemos atención, alcemos la cabeza, estemos alertas, porque viene un gran mensajero que nos señalará al Salvador.
En el Evangelio de hoy, Isabel y Zacarías se alegran al nombrar a su hijo Juan, e inmediatamente los vecinos se preocupan y empiezan a comentar sobre la situación, preguntándose: “‘¿Qué va a ser de este niño?”… porque realmente la mano de Dios estaba con él”.
Juan nos señala a Jesús. Nunca dice ser otra cosa de lo que es. Hay una lección en esto para todos nosotros. Nuestro mundo a menudo nos confunde. Admiramos a las personas por muchas razones y buscamos su consejo sobre cómo debemos vivir. A menudo son personas famosas y ricas, pero a veces parece que todo es humo y espejos, nada sustancial tras la fachada de ser popular o influyente.
A Juan no le preocupaba ser influyente. Dudo que intentara convencer a la gente bajar de peso con la dieta de langosta y miel silvestre, o de cambiar sus ropas de lino por otras de pelo de camello. Se ocupaba de la verdad y de guiar a otros a Jesús. Llamaba a la gente al arrepentimiento para que estuvieran listos para el Salvador.
Y eso nos lleva al día presente. Hoy. ¿Estás listo? ¿Te has preparado para el nacimiento de Jesús? Hemos tenido cuatro semanas de Adviento y ya se acerca la Navidad. Si crees que tuviste un Adviento decepcionante, aún tienes tiempo. Y esto no requiere irte de compras o ni siquiera salir de casa.
Encuentra un lugar tranquilo en tu casa. Abre tu Biblia y lee Lucas capítulo 1 y capítulo 2 versículos 1-38. Hay unos cánticos en esa sección y oraciones de acción de gracias. Reza lentamente. Luego, siéntate unos diez minutos y deja que la paz de Dios te llene. Luego, escribe una oración de alabanza y agradecimiento por todo lo que has recibido este año. Puede que tu Navidad esté mucho más llena de regocijo.
Deanna G. Bartalini, M.Ed.; M.P.A., is a certified spiritual director, writer, speaker and content creator. The LiveNotLukewarm.com online community is a place to inform, engage and inspire your Catholic faith. Her weekly Not Lukewarm Podcast gives you tips and tools to live out your faith in your daily life.
Feature Image Credit: Anuja Tilj, https://unsplash.com/photos/red-flower-in-white-ceramic-vase-5B6q-bgK-wQ
The views and opinions expressed in the Inspiration Daily blog are solely those of the original authors and contributors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Diocesan, the Diocesan staff, or other contributors to this blog.
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