Prepared for the Lord

This is one from G-pa’s collection of reflections.

The story of the birth of John the Baptist begins with the visit of an angel.

“When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: ‘Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth… And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.’” Luke 1:12-14,17 (New International Version)

Many of the readings of Advent are about preparing. It would be up to John the Baptist to make sure God’s people were “prepared for the Lord.” These Advent Scriptures made me think back to my childhood. I tried to recall what Advent meant to me and my family as I was growing up. The idea of Advent being a time of waiting, watching, and preparing for the coming of Jesus was not foremost in my mind. We knew the story of Christmas, my father played Christmas carols on the piano, and we had a large nativity scene set up in the living room. The way I remember it, my mother’s nativity had some unusual animals in it along with plastic pine trees and a snowman; but always, Jesus was at the center of it. On Christmas Eve my family went to Midnight Mass together. But for me, Christmas seemed to be more about gifts and Santa Claus and big family gatherings. My mother came from a large Italian family; so, when a holiday came, our house was full of aunts and uncles and cousins. There was lots of cooking and eating, singing and laughing. 

As an adult I have come to see Advent differently. While my family still makes lots of plans to celebrate the holiday, we try to remember that, above all, Christmas is a holy day. During Advent, while we prepare our homes for the coming of Christmas, we also prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. We continue the work of John the Baptist, “to turn the hearts of parents to their children … to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke1:17). John’s message calls us to repentance, to turn our hearts. Sometimes that message is drowned out by the excitement and festivities of this busy season, but it is important to hear what he tells us. The prophet Isaiah foretold the message of John the Baptist: “A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” (Isaiah 40:3)

During Advent, see how easy it is to add repentance and prayer to your decorating and gift-giving. All these things help us to “prepare the way” and to spread the light that Christ brings into our lives. What better way to get our hearts “prepared for the Lord” this Advent than to “wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” 

KEEP READING

If you’re having trouble remembering where that last quote fits into the Mass, it is part of the Embolism which follows the Lord’s Prayer. G-pa used the pre-2011 version in his reflection: “Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Isn’t that what Advent is all about?

According to the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia, “[t]he embolism may date back to the first centuries, since, under various forms, it is found in all the Occidental and in a great many Oriental, particularly Syrian, Liturgies.” (Taken from Wikipedia)

Advent is a season for getting ready and for waiting “in joyful hope,” not just for the coming of Christmas,

but “for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” Have a blessed Christmas!

Here are 2 favorite Christmas hymns from the days of guitar Masses, the 1970’s:

• “People Look East”   https://www.youtube.com/watchv=jfVC9qFlw9I&list=PLDvpi15zM5Dbe3t4XL2XyrR5rfGJlcaAM&index=3
• “Let the Valleys Be Raised”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze4OYCsJ9wc&list=PLSVAOIe-ZuDIn-EalQI1QTmSaqh-ro2BN&index=4

The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold (Luke1)

⁵ In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. ⁶ Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. ⁷ But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

⁸ Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, ⁹ he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. ¹⁰ Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. ¹¹ Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. ¹³ But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. ¹⁴ You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, ¹⁵ for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 

More reflections:

He Promised! Random Acts of Love