Good Fruit

This is the Third Sunday of Advent, the season of preparation for the feast of Christmas. Advent reminds us that, while we mark the birth of Jesus Christ in history, we are still waiting for the fulfillment of Christ’s reign. So while the sentimental celebration of the Bethlehem Babe is well and good, and the cultural celebration of gift giving and feasting is fine (for those who can afford it), Christmas marks the beginning of God’s invasion of the Earth to reclaim it from the powers of evil and oppression.

Last week we talked about the love of God in Christ, and we heard about the beginning of John the Baptist’s ministry in a time when powerful political and religious leaders were working together in ways that were … well, not indicative of the kingdom of Heaven. We continue this week hearing more from the Baptizer as he called people to repentance before the arrival of the Messiah. He used pretty direct and sometimes harsh language, but people were eager to hear what he had to say. Interestingly, we pair this bold, prophetic call to repent with the Advent theme of Joy. Could there be a connection?