Meditations for the second Sunday in Advent
Prepare the way!
Depression comes over me whenever the Lord is preparing a larger blessing for my ministry; the cloud is black before it breaks, and overshadows before it yields its deluge of mercy. Depression has now become to me as a prophet in rough clothing, a John the Baptist, heralding the nearer coming of my Lord’s richer benison
Charles Spurgeon
Luke 3: 1 – 6
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” ’
John the Baptist. Hermit. Prophet and Herald of the coming Kingdom of God- some say Elijah himself, returned as promised. Herod’s fascinating political prisoner. Herodias’ hated accuser. Fashion icon – he is, after all, the patron Saint of Tailors… Vegan. (Well possibly – ‘locusts’ could actually be Carob nuts, not insects!). He’s not the archetypal image of a holy man dressed up in fine temple clothes. It’s a wonder that he’s allowed out in public – the sort of person I imagine parents used to scare children and make them behave.
Make way! Make Way! He shouts. The equivalent of motorcycle outriders clearing the path through the crowds for a visiting Head of State. People wonder what on earth he’s talking about, but he has the unique ability to make people listen. The promised one, the Messiah is coming! Get ready. Once he has their attention, he gives them a right royal telling-off. Yes you– you breed of vipers! You’re for the high jump now! Say you’re sorry or else. You’ve a chance to start again, but it begins with you admitting that you need to repent, and then be ready – because your life is going to change forever.
And as for us – how do we respond? John announced the coming of the Messiah – our task is to prepare the way for people to realise that the Messiah has indeed now come, a realisation that starts with us. In our lives, in the things we say, in the things we do, to accept all that Jesus offers, and in following Him proclaim Him King of Kings. Make Way!
A prayer of St Theresa of Avila – take 5 minutes in the midst of the Christmas busyness to read a couple of times, slowly say it aloud, then close your eyes and allow it to speak to your life.
Let nothing disturb you,
let nothing frighten you,
all things will pass away.
God never changes;
patience obtains all things,
whoever has God lacks nothing.
God alone suffices.
Amen.
Previous Posts
Praying Together 30th August 2026
Just like those early disciples and apostles there’s an important work to continue. You and I are part of that bunch of followers – ordinary people – let’s keep that in mind – as we reach out to others, each and every day of our lives.
Praying Together 23rd August 2026
Cambridge dictionary definition: ‘Conform’ – to behave according to the usual standards of behaviour that are expected by a group or society.
Praying Together 16th August 2026
We share the shame of both if we fail to address the divisive hatred within our own purportedly Christian ‘tribe’ before condemning others. For Scripture also says Judge not lest ye yourself be judged (Matthew 7:1). Jesus Himself makes it clear that hypocrisy has no place in a Kingdom founded upon love.
Praying Together 9th August 2026
Trusting Jesus and obeying His call takes commitment, it takes faith, it takes the courage to face antagonism, discomfort and sometimes suffering.
Praying Together 26th July 2026
Just cling to the promise that neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord
Pray Together 19th July 2026
We define hope as ‘to want something to happen or to be true, and have a good reason to think that it might’.
Praying Together 12th July 2026
But the real task to which godparents promise is to ensure that the newly-baptised are supported in their Christian growth, by prayer, advice and example.
Praying Together 5th July 2026
We obey His command, but not as slaves – instead, he invites us to be willing servants, alongside the freedom to always ask and reason together with Him as we choose our actions. Therein lies the path to Wisdom, and in God’s Wisdom lies gentleness, humility and rest for our souls.
Praying Together 21st June 2026
‘You are of more value than many sparrows.’
Yes perhaps we are – but that doesn’t mean that sparrows have no value at all.
Praying Together 31st May 2026
Throughout the world, greeting one another with a kiss is a standard way of greeting – once, twice or more (four times in some regions of of France.) In our less demonstrative culture, we perhaps tend to ‘Share the peace’ by means of a nod, wave, handshake a hug or sometimes even a kiss itself in order to respect what we understand as the boundaries of a person’s ‘personal space’.
Praying Together 17th May 2026
‘Somethin’s comin’, don’t know what it is, but it is gonna be great’
Praying Together 10th May 2026
This week I offer a report of our Archbishop John’s Introductory address to this week’s General Synod. It speaks for itself. I wish certain political leaders would read it too.