This is it!

In so many respects, John the Baptist is an odd voice at Advent.  He’s always there – 2nd Week of Advent. By now, most everyone has a tree up and some presents purchased.  We’re into holiday concert-time and even St. Nicholas Day.  Santa came down the Macy’s parade a while ago and so our vision has turned to Christmas and the Nativity – we want the warm images of the Holy Family, the angels, the shepherds… the animals.

But then Luke gives us John the Baptist. 

Anybody get their little kids a St John the Baptist Christmas tree ornament this year?

This figure who has nothing to do with the manger shows up each December for 2 weeks and tells us to
prepare ye the way of the Lord”.  What is he doing here?

Luke also brings some other figures to the forefront –

Listen to this list from the Hall of Fame of bad people:

Tiberius Caesar 

Pontius Pilate 

Herod the tetrarch of Galilee
Philip the tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis
Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene 

high priesthoods of Annas and Caiaphas

Talk about people who were against the Kingdom of God.  

Against this political and institutional religious power -- the Holy Spirit sends who?

John the Baptist.

Against the context of this level of evil, no wonder John stuck to the desert and the faraway places.

But if you’re a person who is fed up with today’s world… if you are wondering if and when change might be coming – then take comfort.  Lean into what the Prophet Baruch said earlier this Sunday:

“For God will show all the earth your splendor:
    you will be named by God forever
    the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.”

Baruch talks about Jerusalem being wrapped in a cloak of God’s Justice.  Don’t we all long for that today?  And while Jerusalem was restored in that time, it was to be a temporary reprieve as centuries later the Greeks and then Romans came with their own empire intentions. 

And so God sends us John the Baptist. 

A voice in the wilderness – someone who says – “This is it!” “Time is up” “Don’t miss it!”

What about us?

Are we willing to open our minds and hearts to the Voice of the Baptist? 

Are we willing to hear him say – 

“Every valley shall be filled
        and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
    The winding roads shall be made straight,
        and the rough ways made smooth,
    and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Friends – lift up your heads!

The days that we hope for are upon us!

Christ is coming!  And coming back again!!

Whatever was a loss – we can now consider a gain because Jesus the Incarnate Son of God came at Christmas and is coming again to us – both in our very midst and in our futures.  

Don’t ever let fear or despair win the day – follow the Baptist to the Jordan River and let your faith be renewed!  He is coming!!

Nathan serves as a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Syracuse. A veteran of YL Staff for over 20 years, he is the Divisional Initiatives Coordinator for the Northeast Atlantic, with a focus in NYC. Nathan has a Masters of Theology from Fuller Seminary and a Masters of Biblical Theology from St. John Paul the Great Catholic University. He teaches Theology and Scripture for Deacon Formation in the Diocese of Syracuse and lives in Syracuse with his wife and 2 sons.