7th December 2025
(Matthew 3.1-12)
A wild man. Approaching from the wilderness. A bloke stepping out of the bush, after months living off the land. Can you imagine him? Wooly and overgrown; with a thicket for a beard. Crusted with crystalline honey, locust spare parts scatted throughout the forest of a beard. Clothes, rags really, made from camels’ hair. He looks disheveled, unkempt, messy. Like a jack-in-a-box he springs off the pages into our imagination. Screaming: “brood of vipers”. A wild man: dramatic and in your face.
It is quite an entrance. Bold. Dramatic.
John the baptizer quotes from the ancient prophet Isaiah saying “Prepare the way of the Lord”. Stop what you are doing and prepare for something amazing! We see a lot of preparation in the world around us at the moment. The shopping centres have carefully placed their Christmas decorations: in many of the shopping cathedrals we hear Christmas tunes and carols. The preparation of Advent is a different type of preparation. The season of Advent is a season afforded us to actively prepare ourselves for meeting Jesus. We do this by preparing our homes, our places of worship and our hearts and minds.
As part of the preparation for Christmas we have a few little traditions in our household. We often choose a Christmas candle that is suitably flavoured with the right ingredients to give a Christmas type ambiance. And we also like watching Christmas movies in the lead up to Christmas. I must point out here that my wife’s choice of Christmas movie is usually quite different from mine. I like that classic Christmas movie “Die Hard”, whereas Jane likes movies more like “Love actually”. There are a few crossover movies that we share: “A Christmas Carol”. But besides being Christmas classics (admittedly by secular standards) the thing these movies have in common is there is always some sort of significant drama. A big event or decision that changes the world of all involved. And we often fall into the trap of wanting or expecting a dramatic event or change that will fix everything in our own lives. We see this at New Years where people make new years resolution, often some grand gesture that they hope will change their lives, to get them back on track or some such thing. To get the best out of Advent we need to approach it differently from our pithy Christmas movies and grandiose unrealistic gestures.
To get the best out of Advent and truly prepare to meet Jesus again this Christmas, focus not on dramatic gestures but on significant, simple, and small actions. Don’t choose tasks that require a Herculean act of strength; instead, choose one quiet practice that is easy to engage with and can be consistently applied. Once a small habit is established, it builds momentum, requiring less willpower and making the next spiritual step easier to integrate.
As the Apostle Paul reminds us: “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NRSV)
I encourage you to adopt a simple practice this Advent to open your heart, prepare space in your world for Jesus, and draw you closer to him. Choose one or two of these small acts to apply consistently throughout the Advent season:
Focus Area: PRAYER
Action: The One-Minute Pause: Before each meal, observe 60 seconds of silent prayer or simply acknowledge God’s presence.
Rationale: Trains the mind to pause and resist the ‘rush’ of the season.
Focus Area: HOME RITUAL
Action: Light the Advent Candle: Light your Advent candle at home each week and offer one brief sentence of prayer for the week ahead (e.g., “Lord, bring peace to my home this week.”)
Rationale: Establishes a sacred weekly rhythm.
Focus Area: SCRIPTURE
Action: The One-Word Gospel: Read the Gospel reading for the coming Sunday and journal one word or short phrase that stands out, noting its meaning to you.
Rationale: Focuses on deep, brief meditation rather than long reading tasks.
Focus Area: CONNECTION
Action: The Thank-You Note: Write one card or simple note this week to thank a specific person, praying for them as you write.
Rationale: A tangible, outward act of expressing Christian gratitude and love.
Focus Area: PRESENCE
Action: The 15-Minute Screen Fast: When you arrive home from work (or activity), dedicate the first 15 minutes to time with Jesus (e.g., silent prayer, brief reading), intentionally avoiding all screens.
Rationale: Protects your home and mind from digital distraction, preparing for true presence.
Have a blessed Advent, Rev. Eron.