Words of Reflection
The Lectionary gospel text for today shows us Zechariah’s boy all grown up and stepping into the role God had prepared for him:
“John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.”
—Mark 1:4-5 (NRSV)
This is the promised herald from Isaiah 40, the voice crying out in the wilderness, the one who prepares the way for the Messiah by giving people “the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.” (Luke 1:77)
And look how the people respond.
Mark tells us that they came from all over Judea, that “all the people of Jerusalem” were going out to see him (hyperbole, no doubt, but it probably seemed that way). Why was that? Why would such a strange man living such a strange life draw such a huge crowd? His message was not a “feel-good” tickling of the ears by any means, and yet the people came in large numbers. Why?
Because they knew. They knew what they needed. They needed forgiveness and salvation.
If you look around today you see a lot of churches putting a lot of time, effort, and money into the Christmas season to try and draw the “once a year folks.” Huge presentations can be found in almost every city, some with budgets that rival Broadway shows. You can find real animals gathered around the manger, full-size orchestras providing a lush accompaniment to professional vocalists singing carols, and state-of-the-art special effects bringing a flying chorus of angels to proclaim Christ’s birth to the shepherds. It can become quite a show, and more power to them as they seek to demonstrate the awesome, universe-bending truth of the Christmas story.
But I can’t help but wonder if the story of John couldn’t teach us something important this time of year. There was no spectacle with John’s message, just the honest presentation of God’s call and invitation. I’m not suggesting in any way that we adopt John’s tone or his methods, as his role was unique in salvation history. But John’s message was simple: he pointed out the innate sense we all have that something is missing, that something is wrong, that something is broken. He didn’t appeal to peoples’ need for a show, he simply laid out the truth that God loves us, that God desires something better for us, and that God is inviting us to make a change.
It’s not often I stumble upon a new Christmas song that stops me in my tracks, but a few years ago the song we’re focusing on today did just that. “O Come All Ye Unfaithful” is not necessarily a user-friendly, seeker-sensitive name for a Christmas song, but I think it echoes John’s honest message and call. It reminds us that we are all in need of a Savior, and that in the birth of Jesus God has met that need. Over and over again the refrain calls us back to the central truth:
“Christ is born, Christ is born, Christ is born for you.”
What a beautiful reminder that God loves us, that God desires something better for us, and that God is inviting us to make a change.
Scripture for Meditation:
“‘The days are coming,” declares the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,’ declares the Lord.
‘This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,’ declares the Lord. ’I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,’ declares the Lord.
’For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.’”—Jeremiah 31:31-34 (NIV)
Song: O Come All Ye Unfaithful (lyrics here)
Questions for Contemplation:
Spend some time prayerfully considering the various descriptions named in this song. Which do you identify with? Do any hit you unexpectedly? Do any provoke you? Bring your response to these words and phrases to God in prayer, lifting up yourself alongside those you know who are described by them:
Unfaithful
Weak
Unstable
Barren
Waiting
Weary of praying
Bitter
Broken
With fears unspoken
Guilty
Hiding
Running
Those with nothing
Spend some time praying that churches across the world might know the best way to offer God’s invitation in their communities this Advent and Christmas season. Pray that the hungry people might hear the invitation in way that opens their hearts to receive the covenant love of God in a new and deeper way.