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WHO ARE WE WAITING FOR?
Advent 2 - 5th December
What kind of man did you go out to see?
What did you really go out to see?
Was he a prophet?
He certainly was ...... and more than a prophet ....
a messenger to get things ready for you.
No one born on this earth is greater than John the Baptist
but whoever is least in the Kingdom of Heaven
is greater than John.
[Matt11:8-11 CEV]
This second Sunday in Advent is focussed on John the Baptist - not quite the person you were thinking of inviting along to your study group!
What would you put on for supper?
Probably he wouldn't listen to your ideas anyway, but would just keep on talking - shouting perhaps "Prepare ye the way of the Lord" [remember Godspell?]
John Baptist was the sort of religious devotee who would rather march down Queen Street or Princes Street or parade in the Square with banner and megaphone - "Enough is Enough!" "You bunch of snakes - I'm going to cut you down to size!
I'm going to start a fire and burn the evil - don't avoid the issues!"
EXERCISE 1:
What is your reaction to religious people like this? Do they put you off? What puts you off more - what they say or how they say it? What is the real question he is asking?
John Baptist was one of the prophets but more so because he didn't just rage in the name of GOD but he brought his accusations home - to the door of the authorities including the Head of State, King Herod, but also to the hearts of every person in the street. He told it like it was!
I wonder what were the "sins" he had in mind when he warned the people that they should not shelter behind respectability and national pride. [for specifics see Luke 3: 10 etc - selfishness, dishonesty, violence]
He challenged the Jews, from high to low, to be real children of Abraham - nowadays that would include the other children of Abraham, all Christians and Muslims too.
And you know what happened to John Baptist for opening his mouth!
EXERCISE 2:
Share some of the things you would like to say to the "powers" and to the people today. What would put you off saying them?
Or would you rather make a list of your "sins"?
Whatever, put them in order of priority/urgency!
But before we forget John Baptist and the essential role he plays in the Advent preparation, don't forget he also had something hopeful to say - "the Kingdom of Heaven will soon be here!"
John Baptist was caught in the middle of the conflict of kingdoms, the power of Herod, the power of the Priests and the power of Rome. Not a nice place to be caught in! And he dared to take them on, to challenge the powers by putting forward the claims of another Kingdom.
EXERCISE 3:
What would be the marks of the kingdom, John was pointing to?
And, from your own understanding of the "kingdom of heaven" in the Christian teaching you have received, what is the Kingdom of Heaven [aka. GOD] mean to you?
Here's a thought - have you asked why the 'Kingdom' which is a 'central concept' in the Gospel, is never included in the great creeds of the Church?
Note also that the Old Testament reading this week is from the prophet Isaiah 11: 1-10 that wonderful and never-fading picture of the Peaceable Kingdom!
EXERCISE 4:
Why not read that prophetic picture - if you have time to spare - and ask which images especially strike you - and why?
SONG FOR THE WEEK: [Carol Our Christmas #30 © Shirley Murray]
Look toward Christmas!
Advent is here:
welcome December,
changing the year.
Whistle up, shepherds!
Saddle up, kings!
Chorus up, angels,
flexing your wings.Sing, sing alleluia!
Sing, sing alleluia!
Sing, sing out the story,
sing about hope and peace.Set the world singing,
make the world glad;
now is good reason
not to feel sad!
Hear John the Baptist
shout to prepare:
Good News is coming,
earth be aware.
EXERCISE 5:
learn the carol and get your congregation to sing it
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK:
Creator Spirit,
Voice of truth and understanding and courage,
may we hear your wordsin the wisdom of prophets
in the persistence of reformers
in the actions of caring peopleand be filled with the longing of your heart
for honesty, humanity and love.
EXERCISE 6
say the prayer round the group or make up another prayer
YOUR NOTES: