December 10

 Luke 3:7-9

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.”

My favorite Advent greeting card bore the message: Happy Advent, You Brood of Vipers. Gleefully sent to a select group of clergy friends, it was a reminder that the coming of Christ has less to do with tinsel, holly, and ribbons - and a whole lot more with purging our souls of sin, waste, and distraction.

John the Baptist dressed in the garments of Israel's prophets. He belted out a message of repentance. We can romanticize his invitation to return to God, yet the painful truth is that none of us can come "just as I am." We can only return if we cast off all that is unworthy of God's glory. We will be welcomed only if there is evidence that the grace of the coming Christ has begun to transform us. 

John's prophetic message slices away the presumptions and privileges that we accumulate. Do you think your family name will win over a holy God? Forget about it. Believe your list of successful accomplishments is a free pass into God's banquet hall? Nope. Do you assume your favorite pew will prepare you a place at the Table of God? Sorry, but something more is necessary. 

Beware of an easy Advent. The trip home is demanding. Excess baggage must be left behind. Well-hidden arrogance will be exposed...and purified. This, too, is the work of God.

Holy One, purge me of sin. Amen. 

Rev. Bill Carter