2nd Sunday of Advent
Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6
In this second Sunday of Advent, Luke brings us the voice of John, son of Zechariah, crying out from the wilderness in a time when the people struggled under abusive, neglecting, and self-serving rulers and leaders, proclaimed life anew brought about by the everlasting promise of deliverance. The rough ways would be no more, for all were about to see God’s salvation walking among us (Luke 3:5-6).
Malachi, prophesying from a time of (re)construction following the Babylonian exile, speaks of a cleansing (3:2) and purifying (3) messenger coming to make things right and holy again (4).
From imprisonment, Paul longs, hopes, and prays that the church in Philippi will remain in defense of the gospel (verse 7), producing the harvest of righteousness that comes only through Jesus Christ (11).
Zechariah, the father of the baptizer, sings:
“And you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
Because of the tender mercy of our God
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1:76-79; NRSVue).”
Bridging Faith 