Hello First Presbyterian Church,

In the gospel story John the Baptist plays the role of the “forerunner” for Jesus. In ancient times a forerunner was a person who accompanied a royal figure on a journey and ran ahead of them whenever they were approaching a city in order to prepare the people to properly receive this monarch as befits their royal status. In John 1, when John the Baptist was questioned about his identity, he quoted Isaiah 40:3 to explain that he was preparing the way for Jesus, the king. 

Isaiah 40:3 reads: “A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” 

Now, John the Baptist is long dead, but every Advent we relive the drama of Jesus’ birth. We return to Bethlehem like shepherds streaming from darkened fields to visit the light of the world. And the words of Jesus’ forerunner ring in our ears as we approach the Son of God incarnate in his cradle—“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” 

Your heart is that wilderness—your soul, the desert. 

The King of Kings comes to visit us in this Advent season and we would do well to prepare for his arrival. In the seventh century the church began to refer to Advent as “Winter Lent” because, like Lent, Advent is a time of preparation. In Lent we are preparing for Easter. In Advent we are preparing for Christmas. In both seasons we prepare our hearts to welcome with gladness and joy or King and Savior, Jesus Christ.

How can you prepare? Well, John the Baptist would tell you to repent. God lifts up the lowly and sends them home in peace, but the proud he humbles. Acknowledging our darkness prepares us to receive the light. 

You might also spend the remainder of this season in intentional prayer and defend that time as you would your sleep. Another option would be to read the classic work of Athanasius, On the Incarnation. I have quoted it in recent sermons and it is absolutely beautiful. 

Whatever you do, let’s get ready for the king this Advent season. “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”