I was sitting in a café to sit down for writing, but I had a hard time focusing because the people next to me were applying for financing a house or some other significant investment. They were there with a child. The business couple referred to their office and assistant, so apparently, they have a storefront of some kind. There were figures on yellow blotter paper pushed across the table. Who does business like this in a café on a Saturday? I was intrigued. This sounds like a life changing decision whatever it is and I hope it goes well for this family.
That kind of eavesdropping, captivating story is also present in our gospel reading. The crowds gather around John as some people make a life changing decision to be baptized. And they’re eavesdropping, seeing what the big deal is. And John gets mad at them at first, accusing them of being hypocrites. Seems John missed the Hospitality 101 course. Prophets have a tendency to play by their own rules, fueled by their mission from God. But people become curious, realizing that something interesting is going on.
And some of those who gather including tax collectors and soldiers are looking for some concrete advice on how to live differently, hearing about John’s baptism of repentance. And John gives them down to earth advice. He suggests giving away an extra coat, sharing food, not collecting more taxes than prescribed, and not leveraging power over others through coercion or force. Maybe some of the world leaders could take note as we hear about threats around tariffs. And we aren’t that different from the tax collectors and soldiers. We also want concrete examples by which to live our lives. And here John delivers.
Despite Advent often seeming to point to a far-off time of already but not yet, it’s a time of Christ’s love with us now. John points to how the baptized are to live a different kind of life oriented toward God. I think this Advent message is also reassuring during a time where things seem upside down in the world. It’s actually not that difficult to understand the basics of the love of God. It’s not that difficult to figure out what the good life points us toward. God is calling us toward building a world rooted in equity, in sharing, in love of neighbour. Kids understand this at a young age. In fact many middle school age kids understand politics and political action better than some adults. They intuitively get what building a better world looks like, because they aren’t weighed down by cynicism in the way we often are as adults.
Sometimes it’s called entering a second naïveté to read gospel readings without cynicism and self-reflection. Taking them at face value, knowing we also read things figuratively. The ability to enter the world of John with wonder and imagination. That’s something we all desire. Oddly these paths toward repentance as John calls it, are paths toward joy. Who of us doesn’t feel some levity when we gain some perspective the world is bigger than us. That we are part of a divine community God is calling to do amazing things through us. This kind of service truly is a wonder and a joy.
One example of service, a band teacher made a public service announcement at a middle school concert last week. He said, “Before you go after this wonderful music, remember that if each of you helps us put away these music stands, chairs, and percussion instruments, and piano, we’ll be out of here in 15 minutes. If you leave the four of us teachers to do it, we’ll be out of here in four hours.” Not unlike church with stacking chairs and tables, there is the call to service everywhere we look. I always look forward to stacking the chairs because that’s where I run into people. Say hi to old acquaintances, families we knew when kids were in elementary school, or checking in with local leaders whose kids are playing, etc. Stacking chairs is an equalizer, recognizing not everyone is able to do it. One of the music teachers making the announcement is in a wheelchair and his look says it all, “C’mon guys, we need your help.”
There is also the empty violin case at the front as parents enter, raising funds for the music program. All I can think is they need to put some church people in charge of the collection. No sign, no communication what this money is for. So when a teacher asked me to stand there until a volunteer arrived, I let people know. We’ve got to communicate what we’re doing and how we’re distributing the funds. No different than church. Thanks to everyone here helping with the transition team, with the conversation around the upcoming sale, and putting together a budget for 2025.
And as I was leaving the café to go home, an employee was setting up for a board game night. One of the baristas let me know, “It’s a new thing we’re trying. People say they’re coming to play games today, but we’ll see. The first three of these we’ve offered has been a slower start. Hard to get word out there, for things to catch on.” I gave a knowing look. We know all about that as church, don’t we? We never know who is going to show up for a ministry event. But we’ve been blessed with good turnouts recently. I give thanks for this Advent blessing as we gather for Christmas tree decorating, pizza, soup, and evening prayer this Thursday. We’ve had fun building gingerbread houses. Sunday School kids are participating in worship, youth group gathered last weekend, Confirmation are gathering to learn and participate in worship, campus ministry students are helping lead evening prayer, we’re remembering homebound people with visits and small gifts, and so many of you are helping in many ways during Advent and preparing for Christmas.
Now I want to give you a chance to discuss for five minutes together in small groups. There is a question at the top of your order of worship: John asks new disciples to bear good fruits. What good fruits are we bearing as a community?
