The 2nd Sunday of Advent | Sunday 4 December 2022

Today is Sunday the 4th of December, the Second Sunday of Advent.

Maximillian sings, ‘Even So Come’. As we begin, reflect on how ready you feel to welcome Christ at this moment on your Advent journey…

You came to cast a fire on the earth
And how You wish it were already blazing
The one thing You require are hearts that thirst
And You’ll respond without hesitating
All creation groans to see the promise
Afflicted by anticipation
Dressed in righteous robes with lamps that are burning
The bride is waiting and stands to attention
Even so come
Even so come
One thing I desire, one thing I ask
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
Always to inquire in Your temple
Beholding Your beauty is my reward
One thing I desire, one thing I ask
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
Always to inquire in Your temple
Beholding Your beauty is my reward

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.


Luke 23:35-43

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.” ’

Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

‘I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’

In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’

Imagine today, that you are in the Judean wilderness.


Look around you… what does this wilderness look like? What is the temperature? What can you see? Hear? Touch? Taste? Smell?

In the distance, you hear the desperate cry of a man, repeatedly shouting his message, urgent and persistent. Imagine that you begin to walk towards his voice.

You hear the word, “Repent! Repent! Repent!”

How does it sound to you? Can you let this cry touch your soul today?

Is there something that comes to mind that you might need to repent of today? Let it arise gently with the Lord.


As you draw closer you see a barefoot man with wild hair, dressed simply, and it seems as if nothing matters to him except his message.


As you approach, his eyes meet yours, and he shouts out to you,

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

How do you want to respond to John?

Take a moment to let this scene play out in your imagination.

John the Baptist proclaims, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.”

What do these words mean to you today?

Is there something you like to say to John the Baptist?

End this time of prayer by giving thanks to God for John’s voice and for the voices of all who continue to cry out announcing the coming of the Christ and of his kingdom.

O Wisdom
Lord and Ruler
Root of Jesse
Key of David
Rising Sun
King of the Nations
Emmanuel
Come, Lord Jesus