The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
The church hour often begins with a greeting: Welcome to our hour of worship--and then various announcements or points of instruction are offered. But what if we began THIS Sunday with the gospel lesson?
What if we paid more attention to the announcement of John the Baptist than to Pastor _______ at such and such church in 2011? There would be no nudges to get your poinsettia order in or to help with costumes for the Christmas Pageant. We would simply hear the essentials!
I can envision the stream of people coming to church today, settling into the pews. In some sanctuaries people gather in contemplative silence. In others the folks try to speak to one another over the organist's prelude!
Then the door bursts open and a weird and wild looking guy cries out "Hear the Good News!!!!! Your life is about to change...forever!"
The voice of John the Baptist splits through the space we occupy this Advent 2. We are reminded that everything--every thought, every action that is not "of God" will be consumed when we meet Christ--and we do well to "make ready" for that process of redemption.
I listen to the words that will expose the pathways of my mind and heart where I attempt to hide from the truth. It is disconcerting. Many of my priorities and concerns are being called on the carpet as opportunities to turn in another direction, making way for Christ.
I can see us all in the stream of people exiting the church today, transformed by the cries that echo throughout the wilderness regions of their lives.
Let us prepare. Let us make way for Emmanuel, God With Us!
How will those words affect the way you are today? If we really have heard what has been announced, how will our Advent preparations proceed?
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