Fr. Dale’s Advent Homily
3rd Sunday of Advent (Cycle C)
December 14-15, 2024
Gospel: Luke 3:10-18
Have Lori play the lyric:
“Beginning to look a lot like Christmas…” before the homily…
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”. That is, of course, the title of a holiday song written by composer Meredith Willson. The tune has been popular for 53 years. It is a clever little one that millions of people know. It is a very good example of the sentimental attitude of our culture toward the Christmas season. The song is a perfect example of the commercialization of Christmas that has gone on, like the song, for many decades…
Unless one has been on a deserted island, one would have probably noticed that the “looking a lot like Christmas” seems to feel or occur earlier every year. In many, many places, it has been “beginning to look a lot like Christmas” since, at least…shall we say, the day after Halloween…
You and I, for better or for worse, live in a society that has largely forgotten Advent, OR at least its’ meaning. This is apparently a “sign of our times”. We do not have time to transition from one event to the next, giving a proper ending to what we’ve finished or preparing for that which is coming next. Sometimes we dash from one event to the other without a break. That, unfortunately, is what has happened to Advent and Christmas. Once Thanksgiving is over, our society flies into Christmas without looking back.
Cha-ching, Cha-ching, Cha-ching.
The Third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday is a day in the midst of our preparations for Christmas…it’s purpose: to rejoice in all God’s gifts to humankind. Advent 2024 is one of the shorter Advents we can have. It is 24 days long (or short depending on your preparedness for the forthcoming Christmas season of 20 days …)
The Old Testament prophet Zephaniah invites all people of all generations to rejoice in the Lord. We have a reason to sing for joy. God has overcome the enemy to all that is good. God rejoices with His people and renews our lives.
Paul reminds the Christians at Philippi that the Lord is near. Paul encourages the people to celebrate. Rejoicing by Christian people is a result of our awareness of Christ being near. Until Christ returns for the final time (your death as well as my own), Christians can avoid anxiety by being people of prayer. This is how we are to present our needs and thanksgivings. Prayer is “what we do”… well.
God’s presence will move believers to take concrete actions. John tells his followers to share their food and clothing with the less fortunate. John urges tax collectors to give up “business as usual” and carry out their duties fairly. He tells soldiers to avoid bullying others and taking advantage of their position of power. John makes it clear that he is not the Messiah. He also makes it crystal clear the difference between baptism of water & baptism by fire.
When we see Jesus working in our world there is cause to be pleased and happy. Despite the very artificial celebration of Christmas that society puts on annually, we can recognize the true reason for celebration. The Gospel tells us how to express our faith by action.
When we show generosity to those in need and treat others fairly, we are living the Spirit of Christmas. It goes beyond a season of awareness into an everyday reality. The more we worship God, the more we become inspired. The more we are inspired, the more we can do.
God is “lovin’ it”.