John the Baptist and St. Nicolas Preparing the Way!

Isaiah 10:1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-15a and Mark 1:1-8

Sometime in the next 3-4 weeks you are likely to have “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” in your head or even belting out of your mouth in song! The sounds of the season are full of a Christian/Christmas cast of characters from the sacred to the secular. And some have blended together. There really was a Saint Nicolas in the Fourth Century who has become Santa Claus.

One doesn’t always think of Santa Claus and John the Baptist in the same story but they merge in our cultural practices during Advent. Our story is truly big enough to include all types of personalities and expressions of the faith.

Our Mark text highlights the coming of the wild looking, loud prophet John. Sunday is also the day many churches remember and honor St. Nicolas of Myra a very kind and generous Bishop especially to children.

It takes all kinds is a true enough statement even if overused. True enough for all to see in any church, denomination, or nation. It takes forthright loud prophets as much as it does quiet, caring Bishops! They all in their unique ways herald the coming of one greater than ANY in church, denomination, or nation!

This is the One we are reminded each December came first to all of us as a Child. It takes all kinds to remind us that God is determined to work with and through people. God comes to us through “the human touch” with a cast of thousands (well actually billions when you consider all humans ever created!).

And in turn, we learn the faith from others by word and deed. Who has not at times brought the Word as John the Baptist? Who has not brought the Deed as St Nicolas?? When have you found both of these two different Christ followers in your own thoughts, words, and deeds?

An Advent question to ask ourselves as we celebrate the Second Sunday in Advent!

Pastor Barry