In this second week of Advent, we are re-introduced to John, the cousin of Jesus, who has a prophetic message for his followers about the Messiah who has been born into the world and is about to begin a ministry of healing and conversion of heart. John is a unique character in the cast of those who a part of the story of salvation. His own story is marked with miracle, promise, and challenge.

One day an angel appeared to Zachary and announced that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son named John who would prepare Israel to welcome the Messiah. Zachary doubted that Elizabeth, who was advanced in age, would be able to bear a child so he asked the angel for a sign and he received a surprising sign — Zachary’s ability to speak was taken away. When the baby was born, Zachary’s speech was restored and he sang a beautiful prophetic song: “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he come to his people and set them free…And you, my child, shall be called the Prophet of the Most High, for you will go before your people to prepare a way for them…”

John’s followers longed for the Messiah, and John spent his days baptizing them in the Jordan River with a baptism of purification to prepare them to receive the Promised One. When his cousin Jesus appears and asked to be baptized, John proclaims, “Behold the Lamb of God,” and the Holy Spirit comes down upon Jesus and the world realizes that God has kept His promise to save Israel because the Christ has appeared on earth.

John serves as a patron for us in this season of Advent and prompts us to ask ourselves, “What do I need to be truly ready to welcome Christ into my heart and into my home?” John reminds his followers to “produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.” He encourages his listeners to clothe and feed the poor, conduct all of their work with honest and integrity, and speak and live the truth. As we make our “Christmas To-Do” list, let’s add “charity,” “integrity,” “truth-telling,” and “sacrificial love” to the list and place them at the top.

Jesus called John “the greatest man that ever lived.” May our own proclamation of Christ as the Messiah, made know by our Christ-like living, bring us one day to be among the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. St. John the Baptist, pray for us!

Praying for you as we journey through Advent,