DECEMBER 17TH

 

Psalm 33, Matthew 3: 1-12

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

 "A voice of one calling in the desert: 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him!'"

The reading from Evening Prayer is one of the most familiar quotations in the Bible and closely associated with Advent. So, for what are we preparing?                         

Due to the odd juxtaposition of Advent and Christmas in the church calendar, it is the season of the birth of Jesus for which we are preparing but John is actually preparing the people for the start of the Lord's public, earthly ministry. His baptism in the Jordan river and the descent of the dove signifying the gift of the Holy Spirit. We wait, and we wait in darkness for the coming of the light, the light that shines in the darkness. In the words of an advent prayer " this is the time to clear out every nook and cranny of my soul" (Lord, help me so to do) and prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ child.

 As Jesus comes towards John at the Jordan river, the wild, strident John immediately recognizes Jesus. I wonder if I always recognize our Lord when He comes, perhaps in the person of a friend or stranger, or even to myself, (Lord, help me so to do).

I love to think of Jesus and John as youngsters, playing together, if Elizabeth brought him to town, perhaps kicking a ball around or going swimming whilst the mothers were visiting. We know that Jesus was aware of His destiny: was John at that time? 

An alternate psalm for Evening Prayer and one which delighted me is Psalm 33 the first line of which is: "Sing joyfully to the Lord you righteous!” Someday we shall do just that all together again!

The last few lines I shall leave with you as a prayer:

 "We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us O Lord, Even as we put our hope in you. Amen and Amen, even so Lord Jesus, come.”

- Frances Stillwell