During this time of the year, there are many symbols that will appear to get our attention and to make us aware of what is coming up.
On the secular or commercial side, the decorations at the malls and other places and Christmas carols would announce that Christmas is coming up soon and it would have a more festive mood with sales and celebrations.
On the religious side, it would be the Nativity scene, the Advent wreath and Advent hymns which are more sober and reflective.
And if we were to think about which character or figure would be the symbol of the season, we might think it could be Santa Claus.
But during this Advent season, the character or figure that calls for our attention is, and maybe surprisingly, John the Baptist.
And he points us to a place called the wilderness, where life is stripped off all the un-necessaries and the unimportant.
John the Baptist makes us think about repentance which would lead us to think about God's love for us.
In this time, let us go into our inner spiritual wilderness, and leaving aside all other attractions and distractions, let us reflect on that verse in the 1st reading, in which the Lord says this:
"for the mountains may depart, the hill be shaken, but my love for you will never leave you, and my covenant of peace with you will never be shaken."