A synopsis of the sermon delivered by the Rev. David L. Hicks at St. Paul’s Reformed Episcopal Church on Sunday, December 8, 2002, Advent II. Please read St. Mark 1:1-8.

Advent is a season of preparation. We prepare for the celebration of Christmas, the first advent or “coming” of Jesus Christ, but we also prepare for our Lord’s second advent when he will come to judge the earth and bring to completion the Father’s plan of redemption. We know from every day life that preparation is very important. Preparation assures that a future event or activity will take place in the best way with the best results. Before a painter paints a surface there is preparatory work that must be done first. Often much time is spent in scraping, sanding and putting on a prime coat of paint before the actual painting is done. If this initial work is not done, the final stage of painting will be a failure.

God also prepares for the work that he does among his people. The beginning of the Gospel of Mark makes this known.

The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” – “a voice crying in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

Mark shows that the good news about Jesus did not really begin with the birth of Jesus, that is to say, with the incarnation. God had been preparing for the event of Jesus’ coming long before the actual time arrived. Mark quotes from two Old Testament prophets, Isaiah and Malachi, in order to indicate that the good news about Jesus has its roots in God’s speech and action that had taken place centuries, even millennia, before. As Saint Peter writes, “He (Jesus) was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake” (I Peter 1:20).

As we read further in St. Mark’s Gospel, we understand that John the Baptist is the fulfillment of God’s preparation plans as mentioned in Isaiah and Malachi. He is the messenger who is called to prepare God’s people for the arrival of Jesus Christ. John tells those who were listening that one prepares for God’s work through repentance – turning from disobedience to obedience. A repentant heart is the place where the word of God takes root and grows to fruition. All of the prophets through the centuries, including John, called God’s people to have a repentant heart in order that they might see the benefit of God’s salvation.

We may take great comfort in knowing that God is one who prepares. As we journey through life there are many points along the way where we become aware of God’s work in our hearts and lives. He is leading us to repentance, so that we have the right kind of heart and attitude in his presence. He calls us to prepare, along with him, for the eternity that we will share with him.
Amen.