Baruch 5:1-9 / Philippians 1:3-6, 8-11 / Luke 3:1-6
The ways of the world are such that what is done is to be done on a big scale.
It can be said that size does matter, so the bigger the better.
The objective is to gain attention and admiration, so as to be more popular and famous than the rest.
So, when it comes to the seasonal festive decorations, then the brighter and fancier, the better.
And of course, when it comes to the Christmas trees, then the taller the better.
But it is not just about being bigger, or brighter, or taller.
The world also favours those with big names and high status, and from famous places.
Needless to say, that behind those big names with high status and from famous places, there are influence, power and wealth.
These are the ways of the world, and we are constantly being exposed to such ways.
Inevitably, that also became a way of life, to be bigger, higher, better and with power.
In the gospel, many big and powerful names were mentioned, and they also rule over famous places.
Among those names are some that we have heard before, like, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Annas and Caiaphas.
And we have heard about those places that they rule over, Judaea, Galilee and those other places.
At that time, if someone were to name-drop and say that they are friend of Tiberius Caesar, or Pontius Pilate or Herod, they will be shown favour.
Or, if someone were to say that the high priest Annas or Caiaphas is their friend, they will also get religious favours.
What happened then, in that political and religious world, has not changed much. It is also happening in the present political and religious scenes, only that the names and places have changed.
But there is one thing that did not change, and that is the ways of God. The ways of God are not the ways of the world.
In the gospel, the Word of God did not go to those high and mighty and famous names or places.
Instead, the Word of God came to John, son of Zechariah, and he was out there in the wilderness.
And the message that John received was plain and simple, and that is, the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin.
It was a no-frills and no-thrills message, just repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
As we enter into the second week of Advent, the world has already entered into the festive celebrations.
It looks and sounds as if Christmas is already here, and we are also moving with the flow.
Being in this tension between Advent and the festive celebrations, a well-known figure emerges.
We know who Santa Claus is. His image has appeared during this time in decorations and advertisements.
Santa Claus is a big name in this festive season, so much so that his origins is often forgotten.
Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas, lived during the 4th century. He is venerated in the Church because he helped the poor in their misery and poverty with gifts of money.
So, that is why Santa Claus, or St Nicholas, became a symbol of giving during this season.
He also reminds us that God gave us His only Son to save us and to forgive our sins.
Just as the Word of God came to John the Baptist in the wilderness, the Word of God comes to us through Santa Claus, or Saint Nicholas.
St Nicholas reminds us of the virtue of giving and especially to help the poor.
The Word of God reminds us that the best gift is the gift of forgiveness.
Let us turn to God for forgiveness so that we can forgive others.
That is how we prepare the way for the Lord, so that we, the Church, and the world, will see the salvation of God.