Advent Meditation - Saturday 5 December

On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Awake and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings from the King of Kings!


Readings
Isaiah 61:1-11
Matthew 3:1-12
Romans 13:11-14

Reflection
A hairy, often smelly, flea-bitten, insect-eating, sharp-tongued wilderness man. Not at all like the well-mannered softies that lived in the king's palace. But they were coming from all around to hear this John. Many would be so shaken by his message that they would be baptized.

John the Baptist was full of the Holy Spirit. That's why his words hit home with so many. But he knew there was a greater power and greater effectiveness than he could ever have. It was John's job to tell of the One to come, the Messiah, the One who would send the Holy Spirit onto those he baptized. One whose words and deeds would have even more impact than John's. One who John knew as friend and family, whom John had already come to respect and highly value, but hadn’t previously known as the One. The One was Jesus. Throughout His ministry, and in the early years of the apostles, after Jesus' death, Jesus and his followers would keep coming across people who had come to love God through John's work. Some who heeded John's call soon took up their crosses and followed Jesus. But John's call for repentance helps us prepare too, for John was just trying to get people to do what God wanted, and that's how anyone can be prepared for the presence of God-with-us.

Prayer
God our strength and our hope,
grant us the courage of John the Baptist,
to speak your truth and patiently walk the path of peace
For your name sake. Amen

Further Prayers
We pray for those who live and preach the gospel across the world. Bless them O God in their mission.