Advent 2 Yr A
Prepare
Comment: 20221202 "Well said, Kristen."
Prepare
Have you noticed how nature prepares differently for this season than we do?
Animals do stock up on food, but not to eat to excess. They are planning ahead for the long winter's night. Trees shed their leaves and slow their growth to survive the winter.
It would seem a natural process then for us to follow suit. There is less sunlight and less warmth, inviting us to snuggle up and hunker down. Yet in spite of the longer nights and shorter days, there is an air of expectation around us. Something is coming, and it is Light, Love and Peace. The Earth invites us to slow down, become still and reflect.
So naturally, we bake, decorate, spend more and drive more. As we rush around, it's easy to forget what we are preparing for.
For many, preparation, expectation, and celebration do not come easily. This time of year can feel heavy. We are struggling with the state of the world and of our planet. A sense of loss seems to have touched everyone. Since Christmas present will never be like Christmas past, why even bother?
This is the question I ask myself. In order to wait, prepare and contemplate, I would have to slow down. And I fear that grief and loss might catch up with me. I know I am not alone in these feelings, yet I feel like I have "missed the boat" or gone "off track".
In his blog, "In search of a new Eden," Justin Coutts offers a different perspective:
"If you find yourself mourning for the state of the world,
then you are mourning with Christ.
Do not fight the sadness, do not run from it.
Be at peace with it. Be comfortable in it. . . ."
The Psalmist weaves his lament into worship. He complains and expresses his sorrow, as he asks for help and puts his trust in God.
So perhaps preparing for Advent includes bringing our pain, loss, and brokenheartedness to God, in whom we find comfort and joy.
"Be at peace with it. Be comfortable in it. . . ."
© 2022 Kristen P Spangler
Introduction
On this second Sunday of the new (church) year, we are reminded to prepare for the coming of the Lord. Last week, we were reminded to watch for him and be ready. How can we prepare for him? I am sorting through my "stuff", hoping to pare down the many "no longer needed" things I have accumulated. I think that will help me. Many of us continue using our Advent calendars for daily small tasks that will help us prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. Sometimes it's hard; Sometimes not. Even so, prepare, dear friends. Comments welcome.
Matthew 3:1-12
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ ”. . .”
From sermon4kids.com: “No matter how good people may think they are, there are always some crooked ways and rough places in their lives. There are things such as dishonesty, selfishness, pride, jealousy, and many more. John wanted the people to make those crooked ways straight in preparation for Jesus’ coming. ”
Scripture: December 3, 2022—Second Sunday of Advent—Isaiah 11:1-10 (image); Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 (image); Romans 15:4-13 (image); and Matthew 3:1-12 (image). A visual/audio journey.
Collect: Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Reflection: Look for places where the wolf and the lamb lie down together in peace. Where do you see that peace in your relationships, in your family or circle of friends, in the neighborhood, the city, the nation, and the world? Even within yourself, where has peace been forged between previously warring factions?
Excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year A, Volume 1 © 2013 Westminster John Knox Press
Practice: How are you preparing your heart this advent? If you wish, share your comments.
Eye Candy: “In the wilderness prepare the way” by Jan Richardson; “John the Baptist“, teak wood relief door panel carved by Cornelius Manguma (scroll down); “The Preaching of John the Baptist” by Pieter Breugel the Elder
Ear Worm: “Jesusfreak” by DC Talk; “Prepare the way of the Lord” from Godspell; “Prepare the way of the Lord” by Barbara Furman and Darian Krimm; “Liturgical Whiplash” by Lee Curtis
Brain Food: “Wilderness God” by Janice Scott; “A way in the wilderness”, self-guided retreat from edge of the enclosure weblog
Parables: “Jesus” (1999), cousins sitting around the campfire; “Phantom Menace” (1999); “Gladiator” (2000), bringing out the best and worse
For families: Study guide and activities (former guide), group activity; snacks, kid video
For children: See family guide/activities above (another activity), bulletin; craft
For middlers: See family guide/activities above (another activity); bulletin; craft
For youth: When you hear/read the story of John the Baptist, do you wonder about how John the Baptist knew about Jesus? Did you know they were related? How? And if someone who looked like John the Baptist began to rant at you, how would you react? If you wish, share your thoughts.
This is the first of the two Advent Sundays in which John the Baptist is the dominant figure. John’s ministry as the forerunner of the Messiah is introduced in today’s gospel reading by his preaching: a stern call to repentance. John warns that neither reliance on the religious practices of the Pharisees and Sadducees nor descent from Abraham is of any use unless one turns around and repents.
The first reading is one of the visions of Isaiah. From the almost moribund family of Jesse (King David’s father) a new shoot will appear, a new David. This Messiah will establish God’s universal reign as a time of peace even extending to the natural world.
Paul’s message in the second reading also reflects on the character of the Messiah’s ministry as one for all peoples: Jews and Gentiles.
Advent calls all people, not just those who are religious, into relationship with God and with each other. Nevertheless, a key element in this new relationship is repentance, entering into the new Way of living brought through the dying and rising of Jesus.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.