First reading: Zep. 3:14–18a
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.
Second reading: Phil. 4:4–7
Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Gospel: Lk. 3:10–18
The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.
In other words
by Fr. Bubi Scholz, SVD (St. Michael’s Mother House, Steyl, Netherlands)
The English word most often used on Christmas cards, decorations, and songs is “Merry.” It marks Christmas as an occasion for merrymaking, happiness, and joy.
In the Philippines, the build-up for Christmas joy already starts in September in shops and malls. Simbang Gabi, the novena of Masses before Christmas, strongly heightens the joyful mood till it reaches its climax on Christmas day.
This year, many parishes start Simbang Gabi today, the third Sunday of Advent. Fittingly, the Second Reading begins with St. Paul’s call, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” (Phil 4:4). That’s why today priests sometimes wear vestments in joyous pink instead of somber violet.
Today’s Sunday which rings in the last phase of preparation for the joy of Christmas day has John the Baptist as the keynote speaker in the Gospel. But he does not seem to be the right man for this job. He is austere, his clothes are rags, and his message is severe, hardly in line with joy and happiness. Shall we, therefore, tum our backs on him? Or does he perhaps have something important to say that helps us to have true and full joy on Christmas? We want more than fake joy or superficiality, more than a brief escape from problems without lasting effects.
John the Baptist does indeed show—and convincingly so—how we can have a truly joyful Christmas. That implies, as a first step: “Doing good.” To the crowds he says, “Whoever has food should share it with the person who has none.” This is compassion, charity. Many are already doing good during the Christmas season.
But John adds a second step: “Being good.” He admonishes those in power, e.g. tax officials and soldiers, “Do not practice extortion.” This is justice and respect for the rights of others.
But John has one more thing to ensure full Christmas joy. Actually not something but someone for he says, “After me one mightier than I is coming.” That is Jesus Christ, the Messiah. It is his birthday we are celebrating on Christmas. Jesus is the reason for doing good and being good, he is goodness itself and the source of all true joy. John the Baptist and Simbang Gabi point to him. Let us not miss the real thing on Christmas.
How do I get close to him? Together with doing good and being good, take time for prayer, forgive, and ask forgiveness. Thus you will have true and full Christmas joy, a real “Merry Christmas.” “Rejoice, rejoice in the Lord always!”