The signs of Christmas are all around us. Decorations have been appearing in homes, on lamp posts, in stores and just about everywhere you look. And with the impending snowstorm, nothing speaks more of the Christmas season than that first big nor’easter. We’ll see just how big it turns out to be ….but it can’t help but boost that Christmas spirit!
Our scripture readings this weekend on the third Sunday of Advent speak to us also of the signs of Christmas. In our first reading today Isaiah once again encouraged the people to be patient and to wait and to watch for the signs of the coming of God’s kingdom. He says that those signs will be when you see the eyes of the blind be opened; the ears of the deaf cleared; the lame will leap like a stag; and the tongue of the mute will sing. Fear not he says, here is your God who comes with vindication.
And in the Gospel reading, when John the Baptists in prison seeks reassurance from Jesus that He is truly the one who they patiently waited for, Jesus response is interesting. He tells the messengers to return to John and tell him what they see. the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, and so on; a direct quote from that first reading.
Jesus as well as John the Baptist knew well the prophesy of Isaiah and what that it referred to . Jesus affirms for John what he needed to know.
The signs of the coming of Christ are all around us. Real Christmas spirit is in the heart of people giving and sharing, loving and understanding, being patient and kind. May we be signs of that spirit during this season and all days throughout the year.