Advent Reflection- Day #8 (Second Sunday of Advent)

In today’s Gospel reading, we hear about John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, who fulfills the prophetic call found in the Old Testament book of Isaiah. What is significant about Luke’s account is that he extends the quote from Isaiah farther than Matthew in his Gospel does. Luke includes “The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” (Isaiah 40:4-5) Luke emphasizes the universality of salvation. Just as he does earlier in his Gospel with the interaction with Simeon in the temple.

Here for the first time in history, a prophet was speaking to all, not just the Israelites. What we see in Jesus is a complete love, there is no one who doesn’t fall into his message. Have you ever pondered why an Advent wreath is a circle? A circle is symbolic of eternity, it has no beginning and end. Jesus came to conquer death, and share the message of salvation which affects each and every one of us for eternity.

So next time you hear the words from Isaiah ``Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” recall your own discipleship and Advent season. As you light the next candle on your wreath today, think about that circle, eternity is coming, friends, but we can play a role in preparing the way for it to come.

God Bless,
Jonathan

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