Advent is a time of preparation. There are gifts to be bought, decorations to be put up, and food to be readied. It is time to send out Christmas cards to friends and family. We might even write them to those in need.

The shelves of post offices are lined with images angels, shepherds and kings. They hint at the joy and the mystery of the season. But there is one figure who you never see on a Christmas card. Although John the Baptist is born only six months before Jesus he does not get much of a look in.

Perhaps it is because during his adult life he dwells in the wilderness, eats wild food, and dresses in strange garments. That does not exactly fit with the festive vibe. There is something within us that prefers to keep John the Baptist out of Christmas. And yet his appearance in the readings of Advent suggests that the connection between John and the nativity is stronger. In fact the feast of the Baptism of the Lord used to be celebrated on the day on which we now observe the arrival of the three wise men.

The readings from last Sunday reminded us of John’s proclamation of Jesus’ coming. He stands in the desert and preaches a Gospel of conversion. After the passage we hear during the mass, Luke explains in greater detail what he means. The crowd ask him what they should do. John says, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ To the tax collectors he says, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ To the soldiers he says, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.’

We are invited to prepare for the coming of Jesus by exercising justice. Perhaps that is what makes us resist making the connection between John and Christmas. We would prefer it if we could celebrate joy without being challenged by the demands of justice. Maybe that is why John the Baptist never appears on Christmas cards.

He invites us to start building that Kingdom of justice and peace wherever we are. He reminds us that this Kingdom has already been begun in Bethlehem. There is Christmas joy, but there is also Christmas justice. If we prepare by sharing what we have with the poor then, then when Christmas day finally arrives, perhaps we will enjoy the gifts, decorations and food even more.

Reflection by Fr Philip Harrison SJ

Banner photo by Art Institute of Chicago on Unsplash