RBWords

     In the "drama" of Advent, John the Baptist is a major character.  He makes his appearance today in his typically dramatic way, dressed in camel hair and eating locusts and honey!  It would seem he was considered dramatic in his own time!  His message is a contrast to that of Isaiah's in the first scripture for today.  Isaiah's words speak of a descendant of Jesse who will be endowed with the gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge and fear of the Lord.  [No doubt we get our list of the "gifts of the Holy Spirit' from this.]  Isaiah also provides the inspiration for the famous "Peaceable Kingdom" paintings of  the American folk artist, Edward Hicks [1780-1849].  John the Baptist speaks in apocalyptic images of the Holy Spirit and fire!  The images are contrasting but not contradictory!  They show different expectations from different ages concerning the Messiah!  The Gospel of Matthew, addressed to a Christian community of Jewish background, would draw both on the prophetic traditions as well as the experience of the Holy Spirit after the resurrection of Jesus!  All of this would come to bear in composing the story of Jesus in the gospel!

 

     We have the same experience.  We have the words of Isaiah, the words of John the Baptist and all the scriptures as well as the tradition of the church which has reflected on this for 2,000 years!  Can we give Advent a chance to work its "drama" on us?  Do we have any expectations at all of Jesus in this season?  If we do, is he the figure of peace and justice in Isaiah?  Is he the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire?  Is he simply the baby in the manger (not a threat)?  John the Baptist and Isaiah can startle us with their dramatic images into asking about our "Advent ways" so that we take a second look at that baby in the manger.  AMEN