I love this season of Advent! I love the readings from Isaiah, John the Baptist and his adventures, the darkness and the light, the cold and the still…I love it all. The figure of John the Baptist is especially compelling to me…
prepare the way of the Lord
he quotes,
make straight his paths.
Richard Rohr cautions that we must move beyond a merely sentimental understanding of Christmas as waiting for the baby Jesus to an adult and social appreciation for the message of the Incarnation. What exactly does this mean, in light of the Advent readings? Urged on by Rohr, I’m especially aware of the relational paths I have forged in my life, and how misshapen some have become. Molehills have grown into mountains, insurmountable, pride declares. Valleys have plunged to depths unknown. How can I follow the advice of Isaiah and the Baptist to make straight a path for our God? Beyond the parties and the merrymaking, there’s work to be done, and we’re reminded of this in not too subtly a way, work that is not easy, no matter how the season masquerades its true nature. The Incarnation calls all of us,
indiscriminately, to make God present in this world, especially in the misshapen areas of our own lives. It means facing those relationships that I have sidelined, and righting them once again. It’s that peace we read about so often on the seasonal cards we’re sending and receiving, making that peace tangible in those places in our own lives where peace evades. The image that comes to mind is taking a buzz saw to the block of ice that we call our lives, and carving life into it by chiseling away anything that does not contribute to life. It’s advent, and besides the shopping and decorating and gatherings of friends, it’s a time to break thorough the darkness of our own lives and emerge as light, the light of Christ ever and again on earth. Rejoice!
