Sermon for December 6, 2020 Advent 2 B House of Prayer Lutheran Church

Mark 1:1-8; Isaiah 40:1-11 Rev. Karl-John N. Stone

The Beginning of the Good News

Have you ever been out to the desert? Several years ago I went out to a spot in the Utah desert--Bryce Canyon National Park. That particular park is almost otherworldly, filled with what they call hoodoos--tall thin rock formations that almost look like skyscrapers, in colors of red, white, orange, brown. It’s also one of the best places in the world to see the stars, because it’s far away from the light pollution of any cities, and the air is very clear. And that’s another thing about Bryce Canyon that makes it feel otherworldly as compared to what we’re used to: when there’s no moon out, the stars are so bright that you can actually walk around at night without a flashlight. That otherworldly feeling makes you realize that you are out on the margins of civilization--you’re far from the normal patterns of life.

Today in the gospel of Mark we hear about John the Baptist who began his ministry out in the desert, out in the wilderness, out on the margins of civilization, away from the normal patterns of life. We always look to John the Baptist during Advent because his job was to prepare the way for Jesus--but he also really fits for this pandemic time we’re living through, because like John the Baptist we’ve all been moved out of our normal patterns of life and “out to the wilderness” so to speak.

Feeling like we’re in the wilderness is not where we want to be, especially at this time of year. We want to enjoy the holiday season. We want to get together, in person, with large groups of friends and family, without wearing masks, without worry about being less than six feet apart. We don’t want to be in the wilderness with John the Baptist. But when you look back on life, maybe more of us than we realize have been in the wilderness at Christmastime at some point or another.

At some point in your life, when Christmastime approached, have you or someone you know ever: lost a loved one? Lost a job? Been really sick? Been away from your family because of work? Been deployed to a warzone overseas? Been going through a difficult time in a relationship? Just moved to a new area and didn’t know anyone? Wondered how you were going to provide Christmas gifts for your kids or grandkids?

All of these are examples of things that someone is going through, not only this year, but every year at Christmastime. All of them are examples of things that can sure make it harder to enjoy the holiday season. All of them are things that might make you feel like you’ve been banished to the wilderness at the worst possible time, like you’re spending Christmas in exile. And I think there are many more people than usual who feel that way this year.

This is our “John the Baptist” year--where we’re all going out to the margins, out in the wilderness, away from the normal patterns of life. It’s not an easy place to be; it’s actually rather exhausting. But since we can’t all be together and embrace each other because of this pandemic, maybe we can embrace John the Baptist this year, and think of ourselves as being in the wilderness with him as he prepares the way of the Lord. We can take his message to heart: “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me.” Christ is on his way.

Of course, we won’t hang out with John the Baptist in the wilderness forever. Because Christ is on his way, and he’s already revealed his power among us by humbling himself, even to death on a cross. There’s only one way to “prepare the way” for a crucified God--and John the Baptist teaches us how by pointing to the prophet Isaiah: repentance. That means turning away from myself, and towards God. It’s letting go of everything I’d like to have control over but don’t, and placing it all into God’s hands. It’s coming to terms with my human limitations, asking forgiveness for the things I’ve done wrong, and accepting that God's grace is bigger than myself. Being in the wilderness--or more to the point, embracing being in the wilderness--can help us learn to repent and turn to God.

We’ve got to remember that time spent in the wilderness has a deep biblical precedent. The Israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness before they were ready to enter the Promised Land. 40 years! I’m not suggesting it will be anywhere near that long for us until we get to the end of the pandemic. But what we learn from the Israelites, and Isaiah, and John the Baptist, and the witness of Christians from generation to generation is that going to the wilderness is a normal part of the life of faith. We should expect it to happen from time to time. That doesn’t mean we have to like it, or that we can’t be sad about it, or that it’s not uncomfortable. But it is normal.

Because out there in the “wilderness times” of faith and life--when we’re hanging out with John the Baptist away from the normal patterns of life--that’s when we start to see the beginning of the good news take shape. That’s where the grace of Jesus Christ, to lift you up and bring you to new life, becomes real in your life. That’s where you have to learn how to let go and let God guide you through the wilderness time, past the withered grass and faded flowers and wind blown fields, until finally Christ makes clear the pathway to a new pasture.

So, what can we do about living Advent in exile? What can we do if we’re social distancing in our homes, and wearing masks when we’re in public, and not enjoying so many of the things that bring joy and connection with others at this time of year? What does it mean for us to be using our time of preparing for Christ by spending it with John the Baptist out in the wilderness?

Well, just like the desert provided a harsh environment for John to share the good news, we can accept that this pandemic has given us a harsh environment for celebrating the season. We can accept that this will not be the “perfect Christmas”. We can also learn from our ancestors in faith who lived through their own wilderness times that: (1) You are allowed to be sad about that. You’re allowed to be sad about experiences you’ll miss this year, people you’ll miss, difficulties you’re going through, things you’ll have to do differently. And really, allowing yourself to be sad about these things is part of “preparing the way of the Lord and making his paths straight.” Because if we want Christ to level out the uneven ground in our lives, we’ve got to be honest with God about what feels uneven.

And (2) by doing all of that, we’re also acknowledging in faith that we see “the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ.” Good news in Christ is on the way--so we are also allowed to find little signs of joy and hope. That’s the good news of why Jesus came down to earth: to meet us in our sorrow, so he could bring us hope and joy. What is a little something that would bring you joy or hope during this wilderness time?

You are allowed to both be sad and to find joy because both of them are wrapped up together in the reality of life in the wilderness. I encourage you to take a few minutes to share your thoughts about that with someone today: as we live through this Advent and Christmastime “in the wilderness”, what are you sad about, and where will you find a bit of joy or hope? And then hand those things to God in prayer--because the One who is more powerful than us is coming. Amen.