Symbols All Around You

John the Baptist was getting people ready for Jesus' coming, and they were confused. "Are you God, or a prophet?" they asked John. "No," John told them. "Then why are you baptizing people?" they asked. John answered, "I'm only baptizing you with water. Jesus is coming soon, and He's really God! He's so great, I don't even deserve to untie His shoes."

There sure are a lot of symbols at this time of year. When you think about it, it sounds weird: Your family puts a tree covered with lights in the house; a wreath with four candles on it gets another candle lit every week in church; you hang up "stockings" that are nothing like your real socks.

What's up with all of that? It's all about waiting for the big event - just like this week's Gospel (John 1:6-8,19-28). 
In the Gospel story, John was baptizing people. That made them wonder whether John was really God, since baptism is a symbol of washing away sins, and only God can really do that.

John's answer was quick: Nope! Jesus was God, and Jesus' coming was the big event they were waiting for. John was just baptizing to get people thinking about getting closer to God and following Jesus.

The symbols leading up to Christmas do the same thing: They get you thinking about the holiday. You light candles on an Advent wreath and put up a tree to show you're waiting and eager for Christmas - not just for Santa, but more importantly, for Jesus.

This is a time of waiting. No one knows that better than a kid, as you decorate, write lists and watch the Advent wreath add another lit candle every week. John the Baptist wanted everyone to be as eager to meet Jesus as some kids are for Santa to leave presents!

(12/11/08)