What do we do with John?

Legend has it, that the Russian czar Rudolf the Great, was at home one evening looking out his living room window. As he was gazing at the countryside, he noticed that it had begun to rain. “Look, honey.” He said to his wife. “It’s beginning to rain.” She replied, “What are you talking about? That’s snow.” Being the wise man that he was, he quickly suggested that they go outside to determine who was right. Sure enough, the precipitation was rain. He turns to his wife and says, “See? Rudolf the Red knows rain, dear.”

There is something about this time of year. It’s almost as if there is something in the air. This time of year is different. Our homes look different, as they feature those decorations that only come out of the storage container for a few weeks each year. The songs on the radio and in the stores are different from what we hear during the rest of the year. They start playing and you can almost feel the nostalgia building.

Yes, I think it is safe to say that all in all, there are just certain things that we expect to see and experience during this time of the year. There are angels, shepherds, wise guys, and the manger scene, even a little drummer boy. There are wrapped packages under a tree, and a jolly old saint. But the image that our Gospel lesson presents this morning is not one that we see out there all that much; in fact, not really at all.

Think about all the cards, decorations and things that we see this time of year. Nowhere do we see any images that are depicted in our Gospel lesson this morning. Nowhere do we see pictures, images, or hear songs about John the Baptist. Let’s face it. It’s not like his message is exactly the most popular out there either. Merry Christmas and Repent.

Now, I guess this really shouldn’t be a surprise. It’s not like God’s prophets are the most popular people with the most popular of messages. “Peace on earth, good will to all.” Those messages sell. Those are the messages that we like. But, “repent!” Well, that’s not exactly the most popular of messages. I mean just see what happens the next time someone whishes you a merry Christmas, or happy holidays and you respond with, “Repent!” On second thought, don’t try that.

Yet here is John. What do we do with him? It is not uncommon to see John portrayed in art where he is calling down God’s wrath on sinful humanity. I mean, look at this guy. Is this an image that we associate with Christmas time? Not really, and probably for good reason.

But you know what’s interesting? Mark’s gospel tells us that people went out to see John. All the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him. So maybe there is something to John and his message that isn’t exactly coming across in the art. Not that these are not beautiful works of art, because they certainly are. But maybe our perception of John is off.

After all, if we went down to lighthouse beach, even in the summer. I can’t imagine preaching this message would bring out all of the county of St. Clair and all the people of Port Huron to be baptized by him. So maybe we are missing something about John’s message.

What if John’s message is not one where he is shaking his fist in anger, but is instead waving his hands in invitation? Maybe he is on to something that we don’t know about. Maybe he is not going to get side tracked with all the excitement about hoopla that we see this time of year.

After all, what’s the point in celebrating the birth of this particular baby, if we lose sight of the reason for the birth in the first place? You don’t need me to convince you that if we are honest about the realities of our lives and our world, it looks less like the Christmas card pictures we see, and more like…well, maybe a little more like the Grinch.

This isn’t really that surprising. I mean it’s the reality of living in a broken world. Do you know anyone who has been able to pull off that perfect family dinner? Or do you know anyone who has kids that can walk through a store and not get caught up in the power of the merchandise? Or any adults for that matter?

We kind of chuckle at that, but what about the real problems and struggles in our lives and world? These aren’t anything to laugh at. The reality of living in a world that is broken by sin is harsh. And this shows no prejudice. It affects good people, bad people, and everyone in between. We live in a world where there is death and sickness; where there is injustice and suffering; where relationships are broken; where people are hurting and it leaves us crying out. 

John is the one in the wilderness crying out, “Prepare the way of the Lord. Make is paths straight.” And as he cries this message out, as he proclaims his message of repentance, what we hear from him is an invitation. It is a gracious invitation, to know, to remember, to find comfort, peace and hope in the one who comes as a baby.

You see, it is exactly because the world is the way that it is that God came into the world. And he didn’t just show up as a visitor coming in from the outside. But he became one of us. Jesus is God in the flesh. He is our Emmanuel. He did for us what we are unable to do for ourselves. He won for us victory over sin, death and the devil. Through his own death and resurrection, he has brought us back to God. He has restored us to a right relationship with him.

This means that we can live life with a different understanding and perspective about everything. In the midst of the brokenness, suffering and injustice that we see in our world, we know of the God whose love for us is so great that he became one of us so that we could live life in relationship with him. So that we could know him as our dearly loved heavenly father, who does not see us with contempt and spite, but loves you and me, and all of his creation so much that he would suffer, die and rise again so that we could have that relationship. And in Jesus it is certainly ours.

This is why he came as a baby. This is why the celebration of Christmas is just that, a celebration. Sure the warm and fuzzies can be fun. They can be nice. And there is nothing wrong with a little nostalgia now and again. But those things pale in comparison to the life and forgiveness that our God gives us in Jesus. And because we have this relationship and this connection with our God, we have hope.

It is an unfortunate reality that for some people this time of year is very difficult. But no matter how this time of year is for you, one thing is certain. In our God there is always hope. Hope placed in him and in his promises is hope well placed. Because this is the case, then we live as people of hope. We have and experience this hope in our lives. And we have the great privilege of sharing that hope with others around us.

You see God came into the world, so that he could live life with us. He came into the world so that we could live life with him. He is active in our lives, and gives us many good things. Not because we earn them or deserve them, but because of who he is. He not only gives, but he gives abundantly. More than we need, more than we could ever use. He gives us so much, so that we can then go out are share that good news with others.

And what we find is that in looking at this picture of John, we see a picture of ourselves. As we call out to the world around us. Not in judgment and condemnation do we call out, but in love, in grace, in mercy. We go out, and we tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere. We extend a gracious invitation to know our Great God, and his great love for us. To know the hope that he gives us in Jesus. And having this hope we have a reason to celebrate. This season. And Always. Amen.