Second Sunday of Advent (December 8)
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Second Sunday of Advent
December 8, 2024
Gospel: Luke 3: 1-6
In the fifteenth year of the region of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of lturaea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.
John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
"Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."
Source: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120824.cfm
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Visual Arts
St. John the Baptist Preaching, Mattia Preti, circa 1665
Mattia Preti's St. John the Baptist Preaching shows John in the wilderness, sharing his message with a small crowd of captivated followers. He is surrounded by symbols that invite us into his story. The red garment that envelops half of his body brings to mind the martyrdom he will endure. The staff and banner are signs of his prophetic role heralding the coming of Christ, and the lamb at the bottom center of the scene echoes John's announcement of Christ as the Lamb of God.
Click on the video to learn more!
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Music
Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord
Clifford Petty
Lyrics
Prepare ye, prepare ye,
prepare ye the way of the Lord
Make straight in the desert
a highway for our GodBring every hill and mountain lowPrepare ye, prepare ye,
prepare ye the way of the LordGet ready, prepare yeCome to the mountainAnd shout with a loud voiceSay to all peopleHere is your God
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Poetry
Prepare Ye the Way
Amy Boucher PyePrepare the way for the Lord
He’s coming again
To earth; to our hearts
So that his people might know
Salvation
Lasting freedom
The forgiveness of sins
A clean slate
Wrongs put right.
Through God’s tender mercy
The rising sun comes
From heaven to earth
Shining through darkness
Illuminating our way.
Even in the shadow of death
He guides our feet
Into the path of peace.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Come, Lord
Come.
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Reflection
The gospel names specific people and places to locate John the Baptist in real human history. What is the context for God's work in your life? Who are the people and places that would describe your spot in history? How does God enter into your specific time and place?
What "mountains" are keeping you from God right now? What do you need leveled in order to run more freely to God?
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O God, grant that we may desire you, and desiring you, seek you, and seeking you, find you, and finding you, be satisfied forever.
Francis Xavier, 1506-1552
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