In the Gospel for this Sunday, the third week of advent, we hear about the powerful proclamation of John the Baptist the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets.

“I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke3:16)

In the Gospel reading last week we heard how John called people to repentance meaning a complete change of heart. We hear in this Gospel people asking what must they do. Share with those in need says John and he tells the tax collectors and soldiers to be honest and just in their dealings with others and be content with what they have.

People were so impressed by John’s teaching that they thought John might be the Christ but John tells them no. I baptise you with water but the one who is coming will baptise you with the Holy Spirit.

John shed a light on the way many were living. The greed of the tax collectors and the cruelty of the Roman soldiers. They recognised the truth of what John was saying.

To be close to God means to be happy. They were not happy. They were faced with a decision. John’s baptism was a sign of a repentant heart and a new beginning; they were washed clean.

But John was preparing them for the arrival of Jesus. Advent is a time of preparation for the birthday of Jesus which changed everything.

Jesus by his death and Resurrection opens the way for a new life in the Holy Spirit for those baptised in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

What can we do to be closer to God this Advent? An Advent gift to those in need through an agency such as CAFOD perhaps? To be kinder, more gentle with those around us? To forgive anyone we have not yet forgiven?

Peace on earth and goodwill to all is a fitting way to describe the Christmas message.  

What must WE do?

“A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill be made low.”

These words from Isaiah are part of this Sunday’s Gospel and describe the mission of John the Baptist, the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Luke 3:1-6

John proclaimed “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

The Gospel opens with the historian gospel writer Luke, outlining the political situation at the time of Jesus.

Jesus lived at a particular time in a particular geographic area in a particular social and political setting.

But was Jesus not only a real historical figure but the Son of God? This is the all important and key question?

If Jesus was a good and wise man who cared for the poor and those looked down upon in his day; a man who did amazing things, then we can move on with our lives. There have been many such people.

But if Jesus was the Christ, the anointed sent by God as Saviour of humankind, whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas, then this changes everything for the world for all time and is totally life changing for each person individually.

Understanding what Jesus said and did while on earth is essential, indispensable and crucial for our lives. Namely the gospel teaching, healing and other miracles, and the death of Jesus on the cross and above all his Resurrection from the dead.

God has a plan for our eternal destiny, that we should be with him forever.

It all starts with repentance as John the Baptist taught. Metanoia – a complete change of heart; becoming who we are truly meant to be in God’s sight; the Father’s plan for us since the beginning of time and from our mother’s womb.  

Dear Jesus may I see more clearly who you really are this Christmas and in so doing discover who I am.

Amen

Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus meaning coming or arrival.

The arrival of a Saviour has been predicted over millennia. Much can be found in the Old Testament especially in the book of Isaiah (7.14).

Fantastic, unbelievable. This is the story of Christmas; that God our Creator sent to earth a Saviour Jesus who would totally change everything for all time.

This is worth celebrating and Advent also reminds us of the second coming of Jesus which is what this Sunday gospel is all about.

“Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and stand with confidence before the Son of Man.”  (Luke 21 :36)

This is not what the shops or media tell us – or the endless back to back American films on TV all of which have the same template for the Christmas story most without Christ.

Peace and goodwill on earth are hard won as is also peace within ourselves. Only Jesus can deliver and we need to turn to him for our hope to be realised. It cannot happen without a Saviour.

God sends his only begotten Son to bring new life to all.

A time of preparation, a new beginning starting again, a way forward.

It starts with peace offered to all.