Guess who's coming to dinner?

John the Baptist!

He always shows up at Advent, the time of waiting and watching, preparing for the coming.....of what?  End times?  The birth of Jesus?  Is it possible that John the Baptist is proclaiming the coming of both of these things at the same time?

Standing in the wilderness (for Israel, the wilderness is a fertile place - a place of relationship building with YHWH) John tells us that one is coming.  For the writer of Mark, it is important to recognize John as Elijah returned to earth.  Notice all the detail about how John is dressed - that old prophet costume is intended to bring Elijah back to mind.  There is a teaching in the Old Testament that Elijah will return to announce and prepare the way of the coming Messiah (God's anointed one). 

So now we have "Elijah" John out in the wilderness proclaiming the coming of the Messiah.  Which coming?  I think the answer is "both".   That might not have been the answer in 1 AD when John was out there in his crazy costume - but I believe for us today - John is holding us in that critical time between the birth and the second coming.

But then I am not talking about chronological time, I'm talking about God time, Spirit time, faith time.  Coming to terms with the birth of Jesus (God in the flesh, a baby who could have picked up diptheria, a crucified Messiah) is an every day - or maybe every other month event.  What does the birth of Jesus mean to me today?  in this situation?  at this juncture in my life?  Do I really believe this?  How much?

At the same time, we are challenged to embrace the future of God - (a changed world, a new kingdom, a coming of glory, a time of justice) and where we might fit into all that.  Where do our loved ones, now departed, fit into all that?  What could it mean for how I live my life?  Will it hurt when it all comes into being? (the Bible's answer to that question is Yes).  Do I really trust in this vision?

So every Advent John shows up to help us re-orient our lives, our thinking, our doing.  And he comes right in the midst of the craziest time in American society - the run up to Christmas.  This is exactly why I continually suggest that families deliberately take time to slow down and focus on the Jesus message that comes to us in Christmas.

but that will be my next post.
peace