Second Sunday of Advent – 10th December 2023
There is something beautiful about all the lights that we now see around us in the streets and shop windows. As they shine and sparkle, they are trying to catch our eye and get our attention.
In our gospel this Sunday, John the Baptist is trying to do the very same thing; he too is trying to get our attention because he has a message for us as we take another step on our Advent journey.
John comes as a messenger in the wilderness not just with any news, but with ‘good news’ for all to hear. He comes to us with a message of hope. John tells us that someone (Jesus) is coming and that he is far more powerful than John. The first reading from the Prophet Isaiah describes the arrival of this person;
‘Here is your God.’ Here is the Lord coming with power.’ John reminds us today as he did in the desert that God has not forgotten us or the promise that was made to generations before us; Jesus the Messiah is coming. Jesus is coming not just into our world, but into our homes, lives and our very hearts. This most
definitely is ‘good news.’