This church in England has an advent festival where 50 groups within the church each decorate a Christmas tree. The people attending purchase a ticket; it's a huge charitable project, bringing people from all over, into the church.John 3:22-30
22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).
25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John the Baptist knew the great truth: Jesus is the light of the world. Father God gives us so many wonderful, good things from heaven. We celebrate all the gifts He so willingly blesses us with at Christmas. We are thrilled in the innocent jumping and leaping - the anticipation - in children at Christmas. Adults look for Christmas lights and Christmas carols in the car.
Suffering can be a great surprise. But Jesus told us we would suffer and He promised He had overcome the world. Recently I was reminded, even Pope John Paul II suffered, physically, near the end of his life.
John knew the repentance he called for was extremely unpopular, and even with so many good gifts in life, John was willing and determined to press on. We do the same as John the Baptist 2,000 years later. With the comfort of the Holy Spirit giving the greatest help, the abundant joy and wonderful gifts we receive in life, we celebrate again and again the light coming into the world. And look forward to many more Christmases.
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