The Third Sunday of Advent (C), December 16, 2018 - Philippians 4:4-7 and Luke 3:7-18

Philippians 4:4-7

Benjamin West: Two Angels Singing (1783)

Berger Collection, Denver

“The Lord is Near

Do you believe the Lord is near?

Or is your talk just of his birth?

Is Advent just pre-Christmas time

Rememb’ring he was born on earth?

Are you just happily recalling

His coming to a cradle, bawling?

Or - can you really sing with hope,

Rejoicing that the day soon comes

When kindness rules across the land,

And every voice of hate is dumb?

Is Advent less of decoration

And more the future of creation?

Oh, let us not just solemnly

Prepare the baby’s birth today,

But gladly sing that, since he came,

We’re not just talking child’s play,

But at the wrong can thumb our noses,

For Love all tyranny deposes!

Scott L. Barton

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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Luke 3:7-18

Leonardo da Vinci: St. John the Baptist

ca. 1513-1516, The Louvre, Paris

probably Leonardo's last painting

Good News, Despite Initial Appearances

He's not very Christmassy, this John the B.,

In calling them snakes, who from judgment would flee;

Who worry that God will not be on their side,

And therefore, to save themselves, others deride;

But John simply tells them a down-to-earth creed:

Be honest, not violent, and help those in need!

That's it! But still troubled all won’t be made right?

Then leave it to God! Not your goodness and might

Will enkindle the reign that you think should come now,

But the One by whose powerful love shows us how.

Scott L. Barton

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.