“What does your heart tell you?” During the many moments of the Christmas Season, we have been afforded a view of or the chance to hear important figures of each Christmas scene. And yet, several of these figures actually tell us very little of what is happening within them. The Shepherds recount the declaration of the angels, and they marvel at the reality that everything was found as it had been told them. The Magi speak of the wonder of the Star that has called them onto their journey, and their delight when the same Star rests above that very spot where the Newborn King was to be found.
What occurred within Shepherds and Magi in that moment and in time to come we simply do not really know. Today’s dominant figure, John the Baptist, presents us with a scenario that is quite different. Even before the moment of encounter between John and Our Lord, we can nearly feel his “vital signs,” so intense is his own proclamation of where he fits into the picture. He knows who he is and who he isn’t, and he knows his own mission as he prepares the way for the One who comes. His words and water combine to be a powerful instrument of call and conversion. And they will combine again to be the instrument of recognition as the public ministry of the Child become the Man, the Son of God and Son of Mary begins.
Among the instruments of call and recognition this Advent and Christmas Season have been the colors, textures and figures used to set the environment of St. Peter’s Church. I want to recognize and thank Chris Fung-A-Fat, Sylvia and Peter Sabourin and Bruce Blair for their time and energy spent in this effort. I also want to thank Linda Blair for her talent and care devoted to refurbishing the figures of the Nativity Set in our sanctuary. You all shared in elevating my “vital signs” upon my arrival, and as I returned “home!”