The Advent Frontier 

God on Monday
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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.”
Luke 3:3-4 

Reflection

I have the feeling that if I saw John the Baptist out in public, I would cross over the road to avoid him. He is, by all accounts, an odd character. His sole mission on earth was to announce the coming of Jesus the Messiah, the coming of a new age, the arrival of the light in the darkness. John the Baptist is the ultimate Advent figure: he stands at the edge of the wilderness of brokenness and sin and announces that God is about to step in and change everything.

John the Baptist, at the Advent frontier, declares the start of a new age: the longed-for Messiah is soon to appear. Darkness and death are doomed, because light and life are coming into the world. Rough will become smooth, and crooked will be made straight. Humanity will see their salvation come.

Standing at the divide between darkness and light, between rough ways and smooth, John the Baptist issues a call to us all: how do we – in our daily lives – stand against death and destruction and deception, and remind the world of the coming of God’s light and joy and peace and hope in Jesus? How can we look deception in the face and speak truth? Where can we choose integrity over personal or financial gain? Are we willing to choose sacrifice over selfishness and forgiveness over revenge? 

Advent is a time of waiting and hoping. It is a time for proclaiming the coming of Jesus – his coming in the past and in the future. At the Advent frontier, we stake our hope in Jesus’ return in glory. We do so knowing that, despite the present darkness, the dawn is on its way.

Response

In what situations in your daily life does it feel like you are on the ‘Advent frontier’? Ask God to guide you in how to act as a person of Advent hope. Write down one or two specific actions you can take this week.

Prayer

Almighty God, thank you for Advent hope – that even in the face of great darkness we can expect the light. This week, help me to stand at the Advent frontier in my life and proclaim hope to the broken world within me and around me. Amen.

This Week's Author

God on Monday is produced in partnership with the Church of England. The reflections are based on the scriptural readings designated for the next Sunday in the Church's lectionary. You can sign up here to receive each God on Monday instalment.

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