Advent 2 C Luke 3:1-6 Malachi 3:1-4 Psalm 126 Prepare! Cont.

Malachi reminds us that the next time he comes it won't be as a baby but a judge. I don't like that. I'd much rather hold a baby than face a judge.

People are more generous around the holidays. Angel trees are rapidly taken care of. The today show had collected more than 14,000 toys as of yesterday.

But what about the rest of the year? When the children are hungry and the toys have been sold to buy food? What then of our generosity? Where are the thousands of donors?

I would rather preach a fluffy happy message about the love of Baby Jesus. But the Scripture doesn't allow it.

Advent 2 C Luke 3:1-6 Malachi 3:1-4 Psalm 126 Prepare! cont.

Malachi 3  1 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. ²But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; ³he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. ⁴Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years. (NRSV from www.bible.oremus.org)

There is a tiny or not so tiny element of fear in the anticipation of His coming. 

Who can endure the day of his coming? The ones who thought they were prepared were not. They completely missed it. The ones who were busy, out working, were the ones who saw the angels singing in the heavens, proclaiming his coming. The shepherds were prepared. The religious authorities were not. 

Who can endure the day of his coming? 
We find an answer if we keep reading the chapter. "Then those who revered the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord took note and listened, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who revered the Lord and thought on his name."

They revered the LORD and they spoke with one another: which is I hope what you will be doing this Sunday morning, the second Sunday of Advent. 

Who can endure the day of his coming? 
Buried under the wrapping paper, tinsel, and lights, I hope you find a rugged manger-bed with a screaming baby inside, letting the world know he has come.