Advent 2A + Prepare the way + 12.4.22

 

M. Campbell-Langdell

All Santos, Oxnard

(Isaiah 11:1–10; Ps. 72:1–7, 18–19; Romans 15:4–13; St Matthew 3:1–12)

I don't know about you all, but I experience many distractions at this time of year. I start reading the scriptures on my phone and I receive news of another sale and another discount, and I think about whether I need to buy a gift for someone. I'll walk around my neighborhood and look at the lights and think about when I should put my lights on in the house too. I try to be quieter in the morning to pray more and I get distracted by the newspaper, (welcome) messages from friends and other distractions.

That's why this Advent’s theme of simplicity in the Living Compass reflections feels so good for this time of so many distractions.

First, we go to the reading of Saint Matthew, and the figure of John the Baptist. We must not be distracted by his words. Because they are very strong, and we can feel offended. But I like to watch what he does here rather than just what he says. He is a man who has simplified his life completely. He has removed fancy clothes and is only wearing very basic clothing. He has gone into the desert, away from most people, so he won't have distractions. He only depends on the food that he can find in the desert. Commentator Stanley Saunders notes that his diet and location in the desert show that John the Baptist relies only on what God provides, and also makes us think of the early days of the nation of Israel.^[1]

This reliance on what God provides makes me think of author Barbara Kingsolver and her book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life (2008). In this book, she describes how she spends time consuming only what can grow in her Virginia garden, with just a few exceptions. Convinced that part of the damage we are doing to the planet is in our decisions to buy food from all over the world, even if it hurts the planet to transport food so far away, she decides to eat completely local for a while. She talks about the grace of living in tune with the seasons and the different kind of nourishment that comes from eating truly local. Perhaps you have experienced something similar if you spent some time growing up on a ranch or farm.

When I read this book, I made some changes. I didn't grow many vegetables because I'm not a very good gardener, but I did focus on buying my vegetables from a local farm. And when I "need" to buy something else, I try to buy the most local food possible. I don't do it perfectly, but I did make some changes. One Lent we decided not to eat processed meat and only to go to a local butcher because workers were getting sick at meat packing plants. I realize that I have privilege being able to choose this, but I also eat less meat as a result of these choices. We are blessed in California because vegetables and fruits are grown all year long. Eating what is in season also simplifies your decisions because you can't cook just anything at any time, it has to be the season for that thing. Or it has to be preserved to be consumed at another time.

This simplification can take many forms for us. It can be in our food, but it can also be in our schedule. Making time to pray more may mean canceling certain meetings or not adding as many activities. It may be to designate a certain time to go shopping and then stop consuming and create gifts by hand.

But all these ways of simplifying are external. John the Baptist reminds us that simplifying the external is only a start. He uses his simplifications to criticize the Jewish leaders of his time and ask them to repent. We, too, are surrounded by many distractions, and we have to remember that there are much more important things than shopping or partying (although these are very good in their own way). There is time for reflection with the scriptures and God, there are prayers for those in need or danger, and there are moments to help our neighbors in need. All this we are taking time to do in this season of Advent. Not to add something else to our schedule. But to prepare ourselves internally.

Why is this important? Because something very special happens at this time of year. Yes, we remember historical events of God's coming into the world in the form of Jesus Christ, but we also anticipate the time when he will come again. Perhaps even more, there is a small miracle. One that we will never feel it if we are not open. If we don’t close ourselves off with distractions, and leave a little space inside, simplifying our lives when the whole world wants to distract us, perhaps we can receive anew the gift of God. And possibly, we will feel closer to our family and friends, and we will experience more joy in these festive times. And then, at one time or another, we might find that baby Jesus is born in our hearts again. But God does not come to the place where he or she is not invited. They come when there is an environment that welcomes them. That is, we have to prepare the way for the Lord in our lives by separating ourselves a little from all the distractions of this time. We have to clear the inner space by leaving time for prayer and service to others. And, if we stay very still, very awake and very open, we will possibly feel the moment. The moment of the birth of this baby God. The birth of Christmas love in our hearts again. Amen.

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[1] Stanley Saunders, “Commentary on Matthew 3:1-12”, for December 4, 2022, Commentary on Matthew 3:1-12 - Working Preacher from Luther Seminary.