‘On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh’
Prophet, outcast, counter-cultural river-wader and burner of trees; John the Baptist has quite a reputation. He shouts and spits and calls the crowd’s bluff; saying quite plainly that their birth-right to heaven just doesn’t stand. His hard line on selflessness is one which is even difficult to hear today; ‘Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.’ His main role in the drama of Jesus’ life is as warm-up man – indeed announcing ‘that the Lord is nigh’.
It seems to me that John plays a more important role. In the Christian tradition, he is the last prophet. He is the last person to tell of Jesus imminent arrival. He is the first person to see Jesus after his baptism. He is the pivot point of the whole story.
Crying insults and living outside of expected conventions, John the Baptist is the crux of the Bible narrative. How then is he the subject of nothing but the odd verse in a few carols? Perhaps the message he sends is too uncomfortable for Christmastime congregations to hear. This is a shame, since he represents so distinctly the spirit of Advent: of examining everything that it is to be Christian, from ‘In the Beginning’ to the Final Judgement. For a little while at least, let’s hold his role and example in our minds; as we prepare the way, and keep ourselves to his command to ‘share with him who has none.’
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