Moving joyously to Christmas

Yes, Christmas is in the air. Caroling, commercials, decorated department stores, Santa in all shapes and forms. Some Santas are sitting in chairs for picture taking. That was one of my mom's things to do in her latter years. To have her picture taken with Santa Claus was her Christmas delight. What a smile she has in those pictures

We see Christmas trees of all sizes and shapes in stores, yards and some homes. We see lights of all types delightfully lighting shrubbery, trees, homes and buildings. Yes, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas," as the song says.

What is left for me to do? I have my Christmas list in order. I have my suggestions for the Christmas meal. The Christmas tree and house are already decorated. I have prepared my telephone call list. What else do I need to do? Ah yes, we are still in Advent.

The Dictionary for Sacramental Worship states: ADVENT - The season of preparation for Christmas, known also in some Eastern churches as the season of Announcement. The prayer of this season "looks forward" in relation to the triple coming of the Lord: in history, in grace, at the end of time. Its tone is of anticipation, expectation, yearning.

Traditionally, the Third Sunday of Advent was known as Gaudete Sunday. The liturgical vesture for Advent is purple, but for this Sunday those somber togs were exchanged for a vibrant rose. Today, we can still find the odd pink-colored candle popping up in an Advent wreath.

The readings for this Sunday still retain this bright delight. In fact, the whole rhythm of Advent picks up today. As the more immediate preparations for Christmas begin, the more restrained mood of Advent's early days is abandoned. The O Antiphons are sung and proclaimed, and, beginning this week, you can feel Christmas in the air. It's more like a sixth sense we Christians have and the liturgy is urging us to employ this sense to recognize the Emmanuel, God-with-us, really is with us now.

The readings still urge us to "make ready the path of the Lord." In the first reading, God assures Moses of his presence by telling Moses to strike a rock from which living water will flow. Water, the sign used to unite and join us to a Christian Community of faith.

In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us that "Christ so loved the world, that he gave his life for us."

In Luke's account of the Gospel we are told that John the Baptist is rendering exhortations to those who were coming to be "baptized." The crowds want to know what to do to be ready for the Lord's coming. He gives them no elaborate agenda. John's response is simple: Keep on doing what you are doing, but do so with great caring and great justice.

John tells those who possess more than they need to give to those in greater need. He urges those who must tax not to be taxing, not to overburden, not to defraud. He reminds those who bear arms that they are not to strong-arm. To wield their weapons but sparingly, to foreswear falsehoods and to blunt their blows.

These readings seem to indicate that our final Advent preparation need not be anything out of the ordinary. Thus, our celebration can be part of the ordinary. Unbridled joy is the ever-present emotion for those who recognize that Jesus is present, close and personal. Our Advent task is to tend to what is at hand; to be in charge of our own souls and to be responsive to those who are near and dear.

Coupled within the season of Advent are the celebrations of two significant events in the life of the church. First is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8. We honor the gift of life to Mary who is to be the mother of Jesus. This is the Messiah whom John acknowledges himself too unworthy to even tie the sandals of Jesus. Second, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12 and who has been designated as the Patroness of the Americas, especially Mexico. To experience Guadalupe is to experience Jesus among the people. These celebrations are real reminders of God's love for his people.

That is in concert with our diocesan theme "Summoned to Serve." Here we are challenged to be there for the people we are called to serve - spouse, children, relative, friend, neighbor or even our "enemy." Wow That really means to "Make way the path of the Lord." Yes, we are stepping out of the "dark" part of Advent and moving hopefully in a joyous manner to the final stages of Christmas.

But, am I really ready to receive the great gift of love on Christmas Day? Jesus, we are told, was born in a stable. Is my heart ("stable") as brightly lit and prepared to receive this greatest of guests?

Mother Teresa once said, "Love can be misused for selfish motives. I love you but at the same time I want to take from you as much as I can, even the things that are not for me to take. Then there is no true love any more."

Henri Nouwen wrote, "But God is love, only love, and God's Spirit is the Spirit of love longing to guide us to the place where the deepest desires of our heart can be fulfilled."

What a joyous time this Christmas 2000. A challenging journey with an opportunity to be summoned to serve as a real live "Santa" to someone in need, beginning with self.

(Pineda is the diocesan consultant for Hispanic pastoral ministry. He serves on the coordinating committee for the diocesan theme, Summoned to Serve.)