Advent Reflections
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2022
By Julia Smith ’25
Today’s Gospel features a well-known figure throughout the Gospels: John the Baptist. John the Baptist was Jesus’s cousin, the son of Elizabeth. In the Gospel of Luke, we hear about Mary’s “yes” to being the mother of God, and after giving her “yes”, she travels to see her cousin Elizabeth, who is also with child. Upon Mary’s arrival, Elizabeth says that the infant, John, leaped within her womb. John and Jesus always had a special connection, even before they were born. Their relationship was foretold by the prophet Isaiah, who said “A voice of one crying out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths”.
In today’s Gospel, we learn more about John and his way of life. He lived a very simple life, wearing clothing made of camel’s hair, a belt of leather, and ate only locusts and honey. People from all over were coming to be baptized by him in preparation for the coming of their savior. When a group of Pharisees and Sadducees come to John, he warns them to “produce good fruit as evidence” of their repentance, and not to be baptized for the sole purpose of creating a good image. John baptized to repent, but he reminds those around him that someone mightier than him is coming to baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (who, of course, would be his cousin, Jesus).
John’s display of simplicity reminds us of the spirit of advent. We do not need to prepare for Jesus’s arrival with splendid gifts or showy acts of charity; we need to turn our focus inward on having repentant and beautiful hearts that are fit for a King to live in. As we get closer and closer to Christmas, let us all be attentive to furnishing our repentant hearts. This can be through going to confession, setting aside time for prayer, or even serving those who are in need this season to remind us of our many blessings. Forming repentant hearts will allow us to build a closer relationship with God, like what John had with Jesus. By doing these things, we can prepare our hearts for Jesus’s arrival in a few short weeks.
I pray that this season brings you all much light, hope, and love.