The first reading is from Deutero Isaiah, a body of writing by an author who followed in the footsteps of the prophet Isaiah. Unlike the earlier prophet there is no condemnation or judgement of Israel but hope that God will end the exile in Babylon. It is often called the Book of Consolation. This is very much in keeping with the mood of Advent, where we are looking forward to the birth of our Saviour.
John the Baptist has appeared as we move nearer to Christmas. He must have startled the people with his ascetic lifestyle and rough garments; yet people flocked to him to hear his what he had to say. Living in the starkness of the desert, there was little to distract him, so that he could concentrate on the message he was to deliver. He was singled out from birth to go before the Messiah as his father had predicted in the Benedictus (Luke 1:76-79).
It is easy to become complacent with our lives. John the Baptist did not try to depart from the role he had been given, which was to proclaim Jesus as saviour. He was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah who spoke in poetic language of preparing for his coming. We are always incomplete and need God to fill in the gaps and guide us in the way he has chosen for us. Most important is the realisation of how much we are loved, in spite of our sinfulness, and he is forever beckoning to us to be enfolded in his embrace.
“Come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelations 2:20)