What Are We Waiting For?
“In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 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.”’”
Matthew 3:1-3, NRSVUE
Advent is such an important season of the year; it is a quiet time of waiting. As we wait and watch in the season of Advent, we might ask the question, “What is it that we are waiting for?” The most obvious and common answer is that we are waiting to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, the Son of God incarnate, the Word made flesh.
That is one part of what we reflect on and anticipate during this season. But there is more. The lessons for the first three Sundays of Advent have the eschatological focus of being prepared for the coming of Christ, the coming of the kingdom of Heaven. We hear the story of the Word of God coming to John the Baptist in the wilderness so that he could preach repentance and prepare the way of the Lord.
Notice that the Word of God did not come to those in power in the cities; it came to John the Baptist in the wilderness. As we take time to think about what we are waiting for, perhaps we can reflect on how we might create some wilderness in our lives so that we can receive the Word of God and prepare to celebrate the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Look forward to the time that is left during Advent and carve some time out of your busy schedule to prepare yourself for the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Collect for the Second Sunday of Advent
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP pg. 211)
