2nd Sunday of Advent

 

Isaiah 11:1-10, Matt 3:1-12

See everyone stayed home last week when I liked the lessons, and now this week, you all come back to this messy set of readings, especially this doozy of a Gospel reading.  We all have to admit, John’s entry into the Christmas narrative tends to feel a bit jarring.  We are so used to the prince of peace and glad tidings of great joy.  Festive readings and joyous carols.  Instead today we encounter John wailing in the dessert.  Demanding repentance and calling those who came out to see him a brood of vipers.  It doesn’t exactly seem like a great evangelism tool and it is certainly not what we are used to when we think about Jesus coming into the world.

But John’s message is critically important for those who came to him, and for us and for the whole world to hear, especially at this time of the year.  And while John’s approach may make us a bit uncomfortable, that is the point.  Because it is important during this season, especially in the midst of everything else going on to allow ourselves to be made a bit uncomfortable.  Because something important and radical is happening, something that changes everything.  The messiah is coming.

And so we start out our journey with the reading from Isaiah that we heard today which begins to tell us a bit about who this Messiah will be.  He describes the Messiah as the just judge.  He tells us of how the spirit of the Lord rests upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.  Then he tells how this Messiah will grant justice to the poor and equity to the meek and condemn the wicked.   And then how he will bring about the peaceable kingdom.  Where instead of arguing and devouring each other, we will all live in peace.  Where once sworn enemies live together side by side because everyone is protected from harm by the wisdom and justice of God.

But it is important to know that this work is not reserved solely for Messiah, this was not only Jesus’s job.  Because the Spirit of God that makes all this possible rests upon to all of us. John says he will baptize with water for repentance and Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit.  And you, all of you received both. At your baptism you were washed clean by the waters and then sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked as God’s own forever, and in your Baptismal covenant you were called by that same Spirit to do Christ’s work in the world.  The Holy Spirit is upon every one of you who was ever baptized or confirmed, in this church or any other.  Every one of us from the very oldest to the very youngest and every dear soul in between has been given the power through Christ to make the world just a little more like that peaceable kingdom.

And John reminds us today, that it is a sin to let those chances just go by.  Instead he calls us to repent.  To repent of every time we selfishly hoarded what could have easily been shared, every time we with word or action tore down our brother or sister instead of building them up, every time we looked the other way or stepped aside when we saw injustice going unchecked.  Every time we moved away rather than helping someone in need.  Instead, Jesus calls on us today to face clear eyed the difficulties of this world and look for ways to help.

Now this is not always a message that is welcome at this time of year.  Sometimes we would rather retreat back into the safety of our holiday festivities and happy thoughts and music and present buying and consumption.  No one really likes to be told to repent.  Sometimes we would rather shut out the suffering world.  But that is why we need this wild man shouting in the dessert to come and disrupt our season, because ignoring suffering and injustice dishonors the one we claim to celebrate and the power that he has given to us to work in this world.

At the end of our gospel message, John tells his followers.  “I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”  He is talking about us.  We are the ones that Jesus has baptized with the holy spirit and fire.  We are the ones that Jesus has called by the power of the Holy Spirit to work in his kingdom.  Because the true Christmas spirit is found in following Christ’s example and giving ourselves away for the sake of others.  Of caring for the world.

And there are so many ways especially at this time of year that every single one of you can care for others and make the world a better place during this season.  No one here is too old or too young or too poor or too busy or too weak or too tired.  Everyone has something they can do.  It may be as simple as writing a check.  Giving Tuesday was this past week and I am sure if you are anything like me, you are getting positively inundated with requests from every charity you have ever heard of, in the mail, email, and social media, on the radio and TV and any other way they can reach you.  And while the requests may be a bit overwhelming, taking a few minutes to pray over them, to think about if and how these organizations are furthering the kingdom of God, whether or not they are specifically religious, and asking God for that spirit of wisdom and guidance can really help clarify what is best to give at this time of year.

But money is far, far from the only way that Jesus has given us the power to change lives.  There are families that are struggling in this community who need your help right now.  You could take a tag from the Giving Tree or bring in items for the mitten tree or food for Community sharing.

But really the most valuable thing you have to give is your time and love.  This is time of year can be a terribly difficult time for people who are vulnerable.  So reach out to someone you know who might be lonely or grieving even with something as simple as a card or a phone call.  Invite a friend who doesn’t drive to church or Benthic brass or a holiday party or a family activity.  And take special care of friends and family members who suffer from addiction or mental illness or stress or depression at this time of year.

Because with every act of love you bring hope and that hope inspires more acts of hope and through this love, God changes the world.  So let us end with the Advent blessing we heard in Romans.  “May the God of hope fill you with all the joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Amen.