At the heart of our Advent season stands John the Baptist, who calls us to “prepare the way of the Lord” through turning around and making a new beginning. His proclamation is filled with images of clearing a trail: straightening paths, cutting down useless trees, and burning away chaff. As the darkness of the season increases, John points out the way, turning us toward the approaching light of Christ marked by our Advent wreath. For Christians, he is the root of Jesse, long-foretold. We wait with hope for his reign of peace. From the Lord’s table we are sent in the spirit of John the Baptist to proclaim that in Christ the kingdom of God has come near.
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In the busyness of the holidays, it is easy to skip ahead to Christmas and find ourselves ill-prepared to receive Christ when he comes. Our Advent theme – Prepare the Way of the Lord – reminds us to set aside time to light the Advent candles and prepare ourselves for the birth of our Savior. Long ago the prophet Isaiah cried out, “Make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (40:3). Generations later, John the Baptist would use those same words to prepare us for the birth of the Messiah.