Advent 3 - John the Baptist's Advent vision
I am preaching at Tavistock URC, where we are also marking the retirement of their minister, Roger Cornish. Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-20 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:7-18 The prophet Zephaniah declares “Sing aloud, you daughters of Jerusalem! Shout & exult!” Saint Paul says “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice!” John the Baptist shouts “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”. It sounds at first hearing as if John the Baptist wins the prize for ‘least Christmassy message of joy’ this morning. But I want to suggest that it is John who has the message we need to hear. I can’t be the only one who cringes at the relentless advertising showing us the perfect family Christmas, with permanently twinkling lights and roaring log fires and endless good cheer. I cringe because I don’t want to ignore all the realities of this world and shut myself away from the truth by creating an alternative world o...