The Gospel account of John the Baptist for this second Sunday of Advent paints a picture of a man crying in the wilderness, a rugged and straight-talking prophet. John was the precursor to Christ who prepared “the way of the Lord” through a baptism of repentance. Christ, who came after John, would give us a far deeper baptism of the Spirit than the baptism John performed in the Jordan river because it would wash away the inward obstacles to grace.

John serves a very important role, however. He was no sweet talker. He was as tough as nails, this eater of honey and locusts. He saw no hint of integrity in the haughty Pharisees who stood before him unmoved and smug in their self-righteousness. They could have blossomed and led their people to experience the freedom and exhilaration of the children of God, but they didn’t. They were too self-serving. John might as well lay the ax to a dry and lifeless trunk as expect a change of heart in these unforgiving men of stone whom Christ described as “whited sepulchers.”

This message, as old as the hills, is still as relevant to our lives today as the air we breathe.

We need to wake up to the reality that is unfolding before us this Advent! Make an effort to prepare for the coming of Christ. Last night, I attended a festival of lights in the home of some, dear friends. Everyone had to light a candle and say a private prayer or make a Christmas wish, and then put the candle in the place assigned to it. When all the candles were lit, it was as if we were all transformed by an inner light. We could celebrate with delicious, though simple, traditional foods and drinks throughout the night, and enjoy with laughter, the stories and the fun of being among old friends and some new friends we just met.

God’s salvation always sprouts and grows and blooms wherever there is a willing heart. John the Baptist was aware of this and he delivered his message, straight and unadorned to those along the river Jordan’s banks. John was prepared to move aside and step down so that “all flesh” might “see the salvation of God” in Christ.

Is it any wonder then that heaven and nature would sing? Is it any wonder that good people would be full of cheer at Christmas time? Is it any wonder that the prophet Isaiah would speak of this birth of the savior as a time when the wolf and the lamb, the bear and the cow, the ox and the lion would be at ease together. These are images of the peaceful reign of God that would shed a new light into our darkened world with the birth of our Savior.

Christmas is a time of hope. But we need to dispose ourselves to receive this hope by repenting of sin first, as the Baptist teaches us, so that the new light of Christ may enter into our lives.

Fr. Hugh Duffy