During this 3rd week of Advent, the symbols of preparation and light continue as we now hear from John the Baptist again, but this time he’s in jail. (This is a good time to remember those who are incarcerated – they, too, are our brothers and sisters. Look for opportunities to participate in ministering to them in the gathering space.) He’s wanting to know if Christ is the one whom he was talking about – is Jesus the one who is to come? The short of it, yes, Jesus is the one.
Our opening song reminds of what John the Baptist’s role is – to prepare us for the coming of Christ. We sang this as our closing song last week to wrap up the Gospel passage that we heard, and now it’s reminding us of that Gospel so we’re ready for Episode #2.
Every valley shall be exulted and every hill made low.
And all God’s people shall see together, the glory of the Lord…
Behold your God.
This week then, Jesus comes into the picture – once again, not as a baby, but as He’s getting ready to start His public ministry as an adult. Remember that we aren’t preparing for Him to come as a baby either, but at the end of time! As we’re preparing for Christmas, are we also still preparing for Him to come into our lives? Our song at the preparation of the gifts, “Ready the Way” brings this message back to us. It reminds us of John’s message as well as the message from Isaiah in our first reading: “Ready the way of the Lord!...Let every valley be filled. Let every mountain be humbled.” And “Desert and wasteland will bloom…Those who are blind will then see, those who are deaf will then hear.” And then in the refrain:
Here is your God, coming with your vindication.
Look and behold the saving power of God.
Our closing song, “Waiting in Silence”, brings us full circle again back to the main symbols of Advent to help us prepare for Christ’s coming:
Waiting in silence; waiting in hope; we are your people, we long for you, Lord…we trust in your love.
O Sun of Justice, true Prince of Peace, come with your justice, Lord… show us the path of life.