Preparing the way for Jesus’ arrival

Isaiah 40:3-5          

3 A voice cries out:
‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
    make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
    and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
    and the rough places a plain.
5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
    and all people shall see it together,
    for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’

Advent brings us a double ring. With Advent we remember what has happened and we remember what has been promised to take place. We remember back and we remember forwards. We remember that Jesus has come, and that Jesus is coming again. Advent invites to live between these two events – living in the joy of both.

We live in the joy of what has been – the excitement that is Christmas. Jesus born and laid in a manger – shepherds and magi (wisemen). And deeper that God has come to live among us, taking on our humanity to live with us – Emmanuel God with us.

We also live in the joy and hope of what is on its way. The king is coming, and we are invited to the preparation for that second arrival. Isaiah uses the image of road building, preparing the way for the king. But the road building is building a road into our hearts, into our lives. Making the way for Jesus the King to come and be king of our lives. For that is the heart of Advent – being ready for the king to come to our lives. To begin the process of removing the things that might impede his arrival.

Advent calls us to reflection on our lives, what in us prevents Jesus from being the ruler of our lives? What prevents the glory of the Lord from being fully revealed in us? Advent invites us to the examination of our lives in the light of God’s glory that is being revealed in the world.

PRAYER:
O Lord, this Advent by the action of the Holy Spirit prepare our hearts and our lives for the celebration of your Son’s first arrival, and prepare us as well for the coming of his reign which will fully revealed your glory. Glory and honour be to you, and you alone. In Jesus name. Amen.