2nd Sunday of Advent

 

Luke 3:1-6

We are getting to the time of year when we are entering truly into the already and not yet portion of the Advent season.  We are really in the meaty middle of this season of preparation and waiting.  And this to me is always an anxiety provoking time of year.  Christmas is surely well on the way, just a little over two weeks until the big day, but still too far out for anything to feel complete or certain.  It is a time where preparations are ramping up but also when the possible cracks begin to show.  Where you find out that that family member might have to change plans and miss the celebration or that gift you really wanted in sold out or you just aren’t feeling up to doing that one thing you usually do every year.  So how are we to prepare for the coming of our prefect savior when we start to realize that everything might not end up being so perfect after all?

Luckily our readings this week are here to help us do just that.  Because from the very beginning it becomes clear that God doesn’t expect perfection, he is coming to create it.  First, we heard today from the book of Malachi where the prophet announces the coming of one who will prepare the way of the Lord.  And he will be like a refiner’s fire or a fuller’s soap.  He will prepare for the Lord by removing impurities by washing away those things that draw us away from God so we can be ready to accept the Lord’s blessing.

And this same basic story gets repeated again in the witness of John the Baptist we heard in Luke today.  That every valley shall be filled and every mountain made low so that all flesh shall see the salvation of God.  But before he gets to all that, John begins the whole process of preparation by travelling throughout the region first proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  Once again redemption begins with cleansing, with forgiveness, with confessing our sins and letting go of our burdens so that we can receive the grace of God. 

This is the way to prepare the way of the Lord, through confession and forgiveness, through the removal of all the barriers that stand between us and God.   God is acting in the world to remove all the obstacles that cause us to stumble on our way.  He is filling in the valleys, and chopping down the mountains.    He is brushing aside the boulders and making the path arrow straight right to our hearts.  Because all those things, all those sins, all that distracts and all the old wounds and lingering pain, God wants to take them from you.  And he does it right there in the waters of baptism.  He cleanses us from sin and washes away our impurities.  And he keeps doing it again and again throughout our lives.

So ask yourself today, what is standing in your way as you prepare the way of the Lord?  What burden do you carry that needs to be set down.  What valley are you trying to climb out of, or what mountain do you struggle to get over?  As we barrel headlong through the tumultuous lead up to Christmas, what do we need cleared from our paths?

For some of us it is straight up distraction, unending busyness that pulls our attention away from God, from the things that really matter, that keeps us spinning our wheels working harder but feeling like we are never caught up. Or the worry that we can’t measure up, that somehow, someone will still be disappointed with us no matter how hard we try.

For others it is the grief of lost traditions, of feeling like we just can’t do the things we used to do anymore, but not being sure what is worth keeping, what is worth handing off and what is worth letting go of all together.  Or maybe poor physical health that limits what we can do for ourselves and others.

For others our greatest burdens come from within our very own families.  Where broken family systems, old conflicts, unrealistic expectations, physical distance or the loss of loved ones put a damper on this season.  Or it may just be simply weariness, isolation or depression that makes it hard to get into the Christmas spirit.

But no matter what it is, no matter what burden great or small, Jesus is here today to tell us that he wants us to let it go.  That is why he is here, he wants to take it from you, every sin, every hurt, every burden, every sorrow and replace it with grace and love.  This season of Advent is an invitation to grace and healing.  We will gather in a moment to confess our sins and join at the Lord’s table.  And I invite you to take this time to really release those burdens, those things that are holding you back this season, and to hear the Good News of Jesus and to receive Christ’s forgiveness, love and grace in your very body in the Eucharist.  To allow ourselves to be filled with the love Christ.

We heard in Paul’s letter to the Philippians today that he prays that “your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight.”  And this is my prayer for you also, that as we receive Christ’s love and forgiveness this season, we too can let our love overflow and spread this good news of healing grace to all those around us.

So what might it look like to live in the spirit of repentance, forgiveness and overflowing love this season, to prepare the way of the Lord?  To give generously and I don’t just mean tossing a few dollars to your favorite charity, which by all means you can do also, but to give generously of your time, presence and attention.  To take a few moments to call someone you think might be alone or struggling, reach out to a neighbor, do a kind thing for stranger, or send an extra Christmas card or two.

To forgive others, to set aside old grievances and family conflicts, to be gracious to others even those who are less than gracious to you and stand up for yourself and help those around you to become better people too.

And to practice forgiveness for yourself too.  When you struggle, give yourself grace, not everything has to be perfect, not every single thing will be as it always was.  And that can be okay too.  Instead can we go for joy over perfection this season?  For those moments where we can really be together and present with one another and sharing the joy of the season even if it’s not exactly as we planned.

And most of all, to take time for quiet rest and peace.  We have to give Jesus time to do his work.  After all that is what this season is really all about, not presents or meals, or decorations or parties, but welcoming Jesus into the world and into our lives.  And Jesus is coming, straight into our hearts, with forgiveness, healing love and salvation.  So let us try to truly prepare to welcome him.  Amen.