2nd Sunday in Advent - WLC/SJ

Preparing the Way for the Lord

Three boys are in the schoolyard bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, they give him $50."

The second boy says, "That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him $100."

The third boy says, "I got you both beat. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon. And it takes eight people to collect all the money!"

3See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. ²But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; ³he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. ⁴Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

We do much to prepare - from washing walls and scrubbing before painting to cleaning our homes to make ready for guests during this holiday season. Much of what we do in life is centered in the theme of preparation. Think of the many thinks you prepare for. ACT tests to enter college, a job interview, a catechism review with the pastor, throughout the many milestones in life there are stages of preparation. Many of you today can recall (or perhaps you have blocked out) the stressing weeks and months before your wedding day. How important is good preparation and planning?

Advent is a time for us to center ourselves in a time of preparation. We are to be ready for Christ not only at the coming of Christmas but as a future event when He will return as He has promised in the Holy Scripture. Are you ready - can you endure the day of his coming?

A Sunday school teacher asked the children just before she dismissed them to go to church, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"

Annie replied, "Because people are sleeping."

Awake O sleeper and rise from your slumber. Greet the new morning that has dawned - do not be caught off guard as will be the case for some. May we endeavor to use this time of Advent to prepare our hearts, our homes, and our congregation to be a place for God Emmanuel to dwell in us richly.

How can we prepare the way for the Lord?

1. Ground yourselves in prayer and thanksgiving.

1. ³I thank my God every time I remember you, ⁴constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, ⁵because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ

2. Are we discouraged, do we have trails and temptations, is there trouble anywhere? Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. I thank my God for the ability to serve as pastor, teacher, and fellow worker with you in the kingdom of God. Bathe yourselves in the task of praying for the members of this parish, your family, and for the work of the Gospel yet to take place here.
4. Pray specifically for the task of preparation.
   
2. Salvation is revealed to us - do not be full of fear.
1. “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. ⁵Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; ⁶and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
2. The power of music during this season of Advent and Christmas.
3. Become a messenger of the Gospel.
1. ⁷⁸By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, ⁷⁹to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
2. What is "good news this season?