“Make straight the way of the Lord.”

In these days of Christmas light, the liturgy turns our attention not only to the joy of Christ’s coming but also to the responsibility that comes with receiving Him. Today’s theme, “Make straight the way of the Lord,” is not primarily about preparing roads or external paths; it is about clearing the inner space of our hearts so that Christ may be recognized and welcomed when He stands among us. In the Gospel, John the Baptist is questioned repeatedly: “Who are you?” The priests and Levites want clear labels and titles. John’s response is striking not for what he claims, but for what he refuses to claim: “I am not the Christ.” John knows who he is because he knows who he is not. His entire identity is shaped by humility and mission. He does not draw attention to himself; he points beyond himself. To make straight the way of the Lord is first to remove the obstacles of pride, self-importance, and false identity that block our vision of Christ. John’s words carry a sobering reminder: “There is one among you whom you do not recognize.” This may be the most challenging line in today’s Gospel. Christ can be present, active, and near—yet unrecognized. We may be busy with religious questions, debates, and practices, and still miss Him standing in our midst. The straightening of the Lord’s way requires attentiveness, spiritual honesty, and a willingness to let go of expectations that prevent us from seeing God at work in unexpected ways. The First Letter of John deepens this call by warning against deception: “Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ… this is the antichrist.” The danger is not always open hostility to Christ, but subtle distortion—believing in a Christ reshaped to suit our preferences. The author urges us to let what we heard “from the beginning” remain in us. Fidelity, not novelty, keeps the path straight. Remaining in Christ means allowing His truth to shape our lives, even when it challenges our comfort or exposes our inconsistencies. The Responsorial Psalm proclaims, “All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.” God’s salvation is not hidden or reserved for a few; it is revealed openly, joyfully, and universally. Yet the paradox remains: what is visible to the world can still be overlooked by the heart. The psalm calls us to praise not only with our voices but with lives that reflect the justice, kindness, and faithfulness of God. The saints we remember today—Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen—embody this straight path of truth and humility. As bishops and doctors of the Church, they defended the true identity of Christ against confusion and error, not for the sake of argument, but so that the Church could recognize and worship the true Lord. Their brilliance was rooted in prayer, their theology in holiness. They remind us that preparing the way of the Lord also means loving the truth enough to live it faithfully. As we continue this Christmas season, today’s reflection invites us to ask: What needs to be straightened in my heart? What distractions, fears, or false assurances prevent me from recognizing Christ among me? Like John the Baptist, and like Saints Basil and Gregory, we are called to clear the way—not so that we may be noticed, but so that Christ may be seen.