There is no time in the year when almost all houses in town are dazzlingly bright except in the days leading up to Christmas. Even the façade of St. Luke which used to be dark, and obscure is now lit along with the Immaculate Conception Church. It’s a work in progress. This is who we are as a people of God. None of us is complete. It reminds me of this phrase, already and not yet. There is something in place but won’t be complete until the next life.

Advent is marked by stillness, silence, and introspection. It is both spiritual (the general) and the religious (the particular). Advent is other-worldly and countercultural. Douglas is very Catholic and its catholicity is evidently enfleshed in the decorations put up in and out of houses. Decorations are highly symbolic. We don’t hang lights in fences, gates, porches and roofs, set up nativity scene and inflatables for nothing. It’s an anticipation of what is to come. We come to God by mediation, that is, by visible signs. Advent depicts the season in simple and elaborate decors and ornaments (ancient, traditional and modern), lively pictures, concrete images, and the vivid imagery of sights, lights, scents, delights and smells of the season is undeniably clear and radiant as never before.

Advent takes us deep into humanity. It’s an expensive season but only in the name of generosity. We initiate food and clothing drive to make sure those who cannot take care of themselves have decent food on the table and heavier clothing on their back come freezing temperature. Here in Douglas, we take care of each other. Christmas parties aren’t for our own pleasure and enjoyment of food, drinks and exchange gifts. There is something more and deeper than I cannot fathom at the moment. Thanksgiving and Christmas practices are sacred rituals that bind us together. Tamales, a staple of the season, is a shared culture, practice and belief. I believe every household from the simplest and humblest to the fanciest will have Tamales on the table. It’s wonderful to hear from families when you drop by for dinner and family celebration. Father, you have no idea how much your presence and visit mean to us. Thanks, my dear but I actually came for the Tamales, Carna Asada and so much more that I’d rather not mention or better left unsaid.

As we slowly transition into the beginning of Christian redemption. John the Baptist the irresistible religious figure, the last prophet of the Old Testament, the hinge that connects the old and the new, dominates Advent. Love him or hate him, you cannot ignore him. He is direct, charismatic, urgent, challenging and active. He doesn’t fool around or beat around the bush. He offers no apology. He’s not fond of symbolic language, metaphors or parables. His message is direct and straight to the point. He makes his presence felt. Here comes the precursor living in locusts and wild honey clothed in leather around his waist, whose life was spent pointing us at the Messiah.

John the Baptist represents the masculine side of faith. He is stern and summons the people of God, that is, us to Repentance, “Metanoia”, change of heart or conversion. My life is a daily routine of conversion and I bet, yours too. I hope my conversion is real, genuine and authentic. A devout Catholic, a firm believer, a lifelong disciple, a loyal follower of Christ, is open for change which is a constant movement in the direction of the divine. A disciple of Christ constantly turns his/her life around for deeper knowledge of God and concern for our fellows.  

Hence, John’s message is summarized in one urgent word, Repent! For the kingdom (rule) of heaven has come near” (v. 2). Conversion leads us to view the visible reality which consumes us and overwhelms us in the eyes of God. Repentance, Conversion, changing our thinking, orientation, perspective and outlook is a necessary component of discipleship as the more we come and draw ourselves to the Lord, the better life is worth living. The coming rule is divine intervention to reclaim the world from the regime of the demon (Satan) that currently prevails and appears to be in full control. In the end, Goodness will triumph and prevail. The oppressive physical and spiritual powers of the universe joined by human rule would be cast down and collapse.  

The only thing that counts is the bearing of fruit worthy of repentance emerging from the genuine conversion of heart. As the prophet Isaiah offers, peace and justice! 

John claimed, the one who is coming after me is mightier and more powerful than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He is a judge with a winnowing fan in his hand to separate the chaff from the grain (the faithful) and throw the chaff (the faithless and godless) once and for all into the eternal unquenchable fire.