December can be a crazy time of year. The semester is winding down and school is starting to get old. Winter sports are gearing up. The days are short and the nights long.
In the North, the breathtaking cold creates a feeling of vulnerability. There always seems to be too much to do and not enough time to get it done. Pre-Christmas advertising hits fever pitch, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — or just tune out Christmas until we have time to think about it.
Advent is the Church’s antidote to the craziness of the season. Advent reminds us to slow down, take a deep breath, and find a quiet space in our lives. Advent invites us to join the shepherds on the hills of Bethlehem — BEFORE the angels arrived.
There they were, camped out under the stars — no televisions, no radios, no cell phones, no teachers, no coaches, no deadlines. Just a handful of people and flocks of woolly animals, dozing in utter darkness.
John the Baptist’s words remind us to reflect on who we are and how we are prophets to one another.
In the Old Testament a prophet speaks for God to the king and people. A prophet speaks and acts publicly, putting his or her life on the line to deliver a message people and their leaders don’t always want to hear. Usually the message includes a call to be faithful to God and care for the poor.
In Jesus’ time and today a prophet sees, judges, and acts and urges hearers to do the same.
A prophet observes and listens to what is happening in the world. John the Baptist sees people of his time superficially observing God’s law but not really opening their hearts. Craig Kielburger heard the story of another 12 year old like himself who was sold as a child laborer and had to act. In our cities prophets see a lack of affordable housing, one child in five hungry, a disproportionate number of people of color in prison.
A prophet makes judgments about these situations. A prophet evaluates homelessness or hunger in the light of the gospels and draws conclusions about what must happen to treat people with dignity. What does Jesus in the gospels ask us to do in our world?
A prophet acts to bring about justice. Sometimes the action is personal. I give money, volunteer, or change my lifestyle. To change an unjust system, I join others who lobby to build more affordable housing, end the death penalty, provide decent health care for everyone. I work with Free the Children to end child labor and build schools in the developing world. The impact of my actions may be small, but joined with countless others across the globe, we can act to stem the tide of poverty and injustice.
The Holy Spirit has spoken through the prophets.
Nicene Creed