Noticeably absent from nativity creches, nevertheless John the Baptist plays a prominent role in Advent. His distinct style, intentionally hearkening back to the prophets of old, shocks us into attention with its strangeness. Get ready! Be prepared to change your way of thinking about everything–your comfortable worldview is about to be turned upside down, for the realm of God is breaking in. Everything is about to change. John’s quirkiness is an opportunity for us to examine at our own lives–how is God calling us to be counter cultural in our time and place? Could Christ be inviting us to audaciously odd lives? Lives embracing peacemaking, reconciliation, hope and compassion?
Prepare the way, indeed. Come, Lord Jesus, come.
