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3rd SUNDAY IN ADVENT
Anticipatory joy and Good News are themes that emerges in our lessons on the third
Sunday in Advent. Isaiah announces the Good News of the year of the Lord’s favor that
will come with joyful reversals from broken-heartedness to wholeness; Paul concludes his
letter with rapid imperatives to be upbeat in the Spirit’s power, and John the
Baptist graciously defers and bears witness to the Light that is Christ. Enjoy!
Isaiah 61:1-4; 8-11-A Day of New Beginnings
The first lesson describes the activity of the life-giving Ruach who chooses and
blesses the Servant to bring good news. Such good news will, in later generations, become
a catchword among the early gospel writers to describe the mission of Jesus as the one who
binds the broken-hearted, proclaims liberty to captives, and the year of God’s favor.
The text heralds a time of renewal and restoration-initially pointing toward Israel’s
return from exile and the rebuilding of Jerusalem-and later envisioned to also include the
transformation that Christ brings.
1st Thessalonians 5:16-24-Final Advice
Paul’s final words form more than a do’s and don’t’s, good manners
list for Christian behavior. Behind the imperatives lies short bursts of energetic
directives to inspire the life that pleases God. Notice the simple verbs and short,
staccato-like phrases-be joyful, pray nonstop, be thankful . . . Paul’s words are
more like a half-time locker room pep talk that inspires greatness in our quest to walk
worthy of our high calling in Christ. The lesson closes with a magnificent prayer for God
to wholly make holy the whole human personality-body, soul, and spirit. Because God is
faithful, we can be confident that God will do just such a magnificent work of grace.
John 1:6-8; 19-28-John the Baptist under Questioning
We are more familiar with the synoptic treatment of John-his Elijah-like apparel, diet,
his terse turn-or-burn sermons and baptisms in preparation for the coming one. Yet here in
the fourth gospel we enter a different door into this life. John is under questioning.
John comes as one sits in the witness stand to answer the questions queried him by the
authorities. As we listen in on the conversation we gain new information about the
connections between John and Jesus. He is asked about any claim that he might make to
being a messiah. (Denial.) Then Elijah. (Denial.) Then the Prophet. (Denial.) John can
only shake his head at such titles and roles. But finding his voice, John quotes the
Isaiah and Malachi prophecy that synoptics also include. This is an excellent passage that
helps us appreciate the important role that John plays in the Advent season.
