Second Sunday of Advent: December 8, 2019
Prepare the Way
by Pastor Charlie Woodward
Isaiah 11:1-3

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
    and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
    the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
    the spirit of counsel and might,
    the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
3 His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

Matthew 3:1-3

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
 
"The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight.'"
We gather around the baptismal font. The baby boy, not yet three months old, wears a gown his brother and sisters wore when they came to the font years before. As the water pours from my hand to his unbonneted head, his arms stretch to the sky as the brisk moisture catches him off guard. A cross is traced on his forehead with oil, once again from my fingers to his head, and the promises of God are sealed. This one belongs to God. Signed, sealed and delivered.

I once again lay my hand on the boy's head, assuring him comfort instead of another cold splash or oily smudge, and I offer a prayer: "Sustain this one with the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever."

John the Baptist came to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. He challenged the people of his day to get ready, be prepared. And yet, it is Jesus who will turn that path around. For in Jesus, it is not so much about us coming to meet God, but God coming to meet us. In the water, in the Word, in the Meal, in the promised Holy Spirit.

Jesus comes to us, ready or not. Amen. Come Lord Jesus.
Prayer: 
We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give your daughters and sons new birth, cleanse them from sin, and raise them to eternal life. Sustain us with the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever. Amen.
If you'd like to invite a friend or family member to receive Epiphany's Daily Advent Devotions via email, forward this email and have them click here to sign up.
Like us on Facebook
www.epiphanydayton.org | 937-433-1449 | epiphany@epiphanydayton.org