If you are reading this, rejoice! You have almost made it to Christmas!

It seems only appropriate on this eve of Christmas Eve that the Church pulls our first reading from the last book of the Old Testament. Malachi talks about this messenger of the Lord that is to prepare God’s people for the coming of the Lord, refine them and repair their offerings. Malachi even foretells the return of Elijah in this messenger, something that carries incredibly heavy weight for the Jewish people that hear this proclamation. So, who is this messenger? The Church makes it clear with today’s Gospel being Luke’s account of the birth of John the Baptist.

We are 24 hours away from the celebration of the coming of our Lord and savior, why are we talking about John instead of Jesus? I believe it is for 2 reasons: John the Baptist is the greatest herald of Christ, and we are called to be just like him right now. In Luke’s Gospel, John checks all of the boxes of Malachi’s messenger; John is the “voice crying out in the desert” calling on Israel to return to the Lord, renounce their sins and ready themselves for the Lord’s coming. All John does that we see is proclaim Christ, that is his mission, and he carries it out with passion. Jesus even calls him the greatest among men. 

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, John the Baptist is exactly who we are to be in this moment. Be the voice crying out to make straight the path and prepare for the Lord. Christ comes tomorrow evening just as Malachi says: “suddenly to his temple.” What temple? Your heart. The way I see it, the only appropriate response is to proclaim it with the zeal of John. Be a herald for Christ to your friends, family and all those around you. As a play on everyone’s favorite Buddy the Elf, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is praising Christ for all to hear. Merry Christmas, we will see you at the Eucharist.

Alex Bollwitt is a husband and father, a C-130 Pilot, and teaches Confirmation I Religious Education. He is passionate about youth religious education and a Christmas enthusiast.