by Rev. Herbert Nichols

Last week I spoke of Advent as time of anticipation and preparation; but it is also a time of celebration. The secular world is already filled with Christmas carols, decorations, gift buying and even giving in anticipation of the anniversary of the Savior’s birth.

Some would say that we should not anticipate. But the readings today give us another perspective. The prophet Zephaniah calls for celebration. The Messiah, the King of Israel, is here among us.

These words, uttered hundreds of years before the birth of Christ, recognized an abiding presence of God’s love without diminishing from that special presence that would become reality in the Incarnation.

Paul also issues a call for jubilation and praise. Present your needs to God in petitions full of gratitude. Dismiss all anxiety. What is there to be anxious about? What is there to fear?

In the gospel, John the Baptist responds to the anxious wonderment in the hearts of those who came to him searching. Are you the Messiah, the one for whom we have waited? No! I am not worthy to loosen his sandal strap. He will baptize in the Holy Spirit and Fire.

If we can fast forward a few years, we find ourselves in Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost. A fisherman named Simon Peter is preaching about this Jesus who was crucified and now risen from the dead.

What are we to do? The crowds ask Peter. Repent and be baptized are the words he echoes; the very words of John the Baptist. There is great significance here.

Peter, unlike his brother Andrew and his business associate, John, the brother of James, and son of Zebedee, was not a disciple of the Baptist. He found no attraction to the wild man of the desert; yet found himself responding immediately even with some shame to the invitation of Jesus.

Though we know he had the best of intentions, that initial response was not full hearted. He resisted the attempt of Jesus to unfasten his sandal strap and wash his foot. Under extreme pressure he later even denied and deserted the man he called Lord.

Don’t we find ourselves in very similar circumstances?

During this Advent season, we are called to participate in the celebration. HOW? John gives a very simple answer: Keep on doing the good things you are doing. Nothing extraordinary. Provide some clothes or food for someone in need. Don’t bully your peers or co-workers. Avoid gossip and divisiveness.

These are everyday attitudes of one who lives in the Holy Spirit, who lives in relationship with God, with a grateful heart.