It was, weather-wise, in the teens, freezingly cold, but I walked around the entire city block looking for the traditional nativity scene in the window. For years it used to be in the north window at State and Randolph. Gradually it was moved, and moved, and is now gone. As is the Marshall Field name. However, recent news is that the original creche has been found!

You may notice that, at this time of the year, a number of commercials will use Christmas music but substitute new words, both to sell their product and to avoid words like Merry Christmas or any reference to what is being celebrated on Dec. 25.

A number of years ago, there was an AP news item out of Indianapolis that a federal judge issued a judicial fiat that opening prayers in the House can no longer mention Jesus Christ or advance a particular religious faith. You see, if you mention the name Jesus Christ in your prayer you are advancing Christianity and excluding other religious groups. One lawyer weighed in by saying that “prayers should be hospitable and inclusive.” The ruling bans exclusive prayer, that is, it is anti-Christian.

Banned in various places: you may not use the word Christmas in any greeting or description of an event; you may not use, for anything, the colors red and green; you may not say or display the words “Jesus is the reason for the season”; you may not tell the legend of the candy cane; Santa may not be portrayed; you may not have a “Christmas” tree. And it goes on.

The war is not simply against Christmas, but against the free expression of Christianity. In some convoluted manner, Christianity is being excluded.

In the midst of this war on Christmas, the Advent Scriptures tell us that we are to be heralds of good tidings in spite of the secular news. Advent is a time to share the faith that God will come to comfort His people.

In the Gospel of John, John the Baptist is asked, three times, “Who are you?”

John’s answer, “I am the voice of one crying out in the desert, make straight the way of the Lord,” as Isaiah the prophet said, describes who he is, and what he is supposed to do, where he is supposed to go.

John the Baptist points the way to Christ. He brings us closer to God. John was the precursor, the one who preceded Christ. John was very popular and many people followed him but, when Jesus came, John pointed to him and stepped aside.

We are the disciples who follow Jesus who have received our name, our identity, our mission, in baptism ... What name have you given to your child? We are the ones who are to point to Christ because of the relationship we each have with Jesus in baptism.

John the Baptist preached repentance in the wilderness of sin. We are the ones who are to preach in today’s wilderness. John the Baptist stood for the truth. Each of us has a time to be called to take a stand for truth. John the Baptist pointed to Christ, not to himself ... he let go ... he got out of the way.

Yes, there is a Christmas. Do you know why?

Recordare, Jesu pie,

Quod sum causa tuae viae.

— V.9, Mozart’s Requiem

“Think, good Jesu, my salvation

Caused Thy wondrous incarnation.”

“Remember, merciful Jesus,

I am the cause of your journey.”