Today the slightly somber nature of Advent lightens just a bit. While many use Advent as a countdown to the food and presents of Christmas, the candlelight services, and the familiar carols, a good deal of us remember the original intent, to prepare for not just the first but the second coming of our Lord, and to remember the final things both for our individual lives and the end of all things. But the heaviness lightens a bit today...and the theme is rejoice.
In the Gospel today (Luke 3.7-18) John the Baptist is preaching (again) righteousness...make restitution where one has done wrong, make our living ethically, reach out to the poor. Here, however, the passage specifically says he is proclaiming the "good news" of the Lord's coming. In the passage read today from the prophet Zephaniah (Zeph. 3.14-20), the Lord is coming to restore and renew, to deliver the faithful from oppression, and uphold the weak. St. Paul also points to the second coming of the Lord not as a grim deal, but a cause for rejoicing (Phil 4.4-7).
So let us rejoice, for the purpose of Advent is to assist us in preparing ourselves to take on the habit of righteousness and mercy to our fellows, and to await God's renewal of both us and the earth. See, he is coming and will not delay, but come at the right time.
May this mid-point of Advent be holy and happy for you all.
