Gospel: John 1:6-8,19-28
A man came, sent by God;
his name was John.
He came to bear witness,
as a witness to introduce the Light
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the Light
but a witness to introduce the Light.
This was the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” John recognized the truth and did not deny it. He said, “I am not the Messiah.”
And they asked him, “Then who are you? Elijah?” He answered, “I am not.” They said, “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Tell us who you are so that we can give some answer to those who sent us. How do you see yourself?” And John said, quoting the prophet Isaiah, “I am the voice crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord.”
Those who had been sent were Pharisees; so they put a further question to John: “Then why are you baptizing if you are not the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?” John answered, “I baptize you with water, but among you stands one whom you do not know; although he comes after me, I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.”
This happened in Bethabara beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Reflection:
Today’s gospel reminds us of the near coming of the true Savior. This season bears witness to the coming of the Son of God. It is then recorded that John the Baptist is there at the Jordan river where he was baptizing the people with water. This means that John the Baptist was preparing the people for the coming of the Son of God. John the Baptist told the people that he was baptizing them with water but he is not worthy to untie the sandal of the divinity who will come after him.
It is very clear that John the Baptist is always looking forward to the coming of Jesus. He was very excited to meet the Savior who will come to save us from our sins. In this Christmas season, we should be like John the Baptist who is very eager to meet his savior. For us to fully prepare ourselves to welcome Jesus, we must do good deeds this season of sharing. Since we are now facing this pandemic, we will not be lavished in our celebrations. Simple celebrations will do but instead, we will try to open our hearts for the needy and homeless.
The true meaning of Christmas is waiting for Jesus’s coming to us. We will celebrate His birth by doing charity works that will somehow help our fellow. The true essence of this yuletide season is by giving. Like John the Baptist, let us pray and wait in eagerness for the coming birth of our savior. This season excites all of us especially that we are more inclined to welcome the reason for this season. – Clea | helpline PH
