Reflection
Can you imagine the preacher getting into the pulpit and beginning with "You brood of vipers!"? I can imagine the phone calls that would flood into the Superintendent's office. I wonder if John the Baptist sensed that his time was short to cut through the deceit of the people that were coming to him. He answered their self-serving questions with obvious answers - things they must have known perfectly well already. We, too, know what is expected of us as children of God. But in so many ways we fail to share, to want only what is ours, to not cut corners, and to be satisfied with what we have.
Like the crowds that gathered around John, we gather in this Advent season to hear the truly good news that the Messiah has come. The presence of Jesus in our world gives us assurance that our failures are redeemed and courage to try again to be living examples of God's love. It can be difficult to hear the truth about ourselves, but without acknowledging our need, we do not value the gift. May we welcome Jesus into our world with full understanding of the value of the gift the Father gives to us.
Prayer
Gracious God, help us to look forward to the good news of the
Messiah’s birth with honest and grateful hearts. Let the world see us as people who have received a great gift and are eager to share it. Amen.
Readings
Psalm 97, Luke 3:7-18, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Hymn/Song
For unto us a child is born
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