The Time is Now – 5 December 2021

Luke wants us to know, “the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness” (v 2) just as he had earlier informed us during Jesus’ birth narrative of the “decree that went out from Caesar Augustus . . . while Quirinius was governor of Syria” (2:1–2). Luke’s is no timeless Gospel, but good news that has occurred in and for the sake of a world situated in time and place. –– John Rollefson

Luke 3:1-6

Luke has a taste for history and an eye for turning points in history. He sees John’s career in the company of historical figures of his time. Tiberius Caesar, the second emperor of Rome; Pontius Pilate, the Judean Roman governor; Herod, the Jewish governor of Galilee; Philip, Governor of Trachonitis and Herod’s brother; Lysanias, Tetrarch (governor) of Abilene; and Caiaphas, high priest: all are impressive company for a young man from a backwater village. Why include this VIP list? Because the Messiah would come to shake the thrones and confront the political and religious structures. In other words, John’s message would announce a change in the course of human and religious history.

The immense preparations needed to receive a pope or president in our day provides us with some inkling of what John the Baptist is getting at as he advises us to prepare for the king of kings and lord of lords. Although we don’t have to worry about seeking the protective ministrations of the Secret Service, in our advent preparation, we are to bring down the hills of the sins of commission and fill in the valleys of the sins of omission. Then others will see in us the salvation of God.

Luke’s gentile background is revealed through his emphasis on the universality of the salvation through Christ. How incredible his claims that the key to human destiny was a despised Jew executed as a criminal. How remarkable that we are living evidence of John’s proclamation! –– Sara Webb Phillips

Malachi 3:1-4

Written by an unknown postexilic prophet, [this reading] captures the themes of Advent: messenger, preparation, and the coming of the LORD. Elizabeth Achtemeier noted that these verses “are used more frequently in the church than any other portion of Malachi” (Nahum-Malachi, Interpretation [John Knox, 1986], 183). They are the center section of a Q&A method of addressing those who have wearied God by considering that God must delight in those who do evil, since the God of justice is nowhere to be found. The passage then speaks of fidelity to the LORD’s covenant and its teaching, and proclaims God will save. –– Sara Webb Phillips

Philippians 1:3-11

[This] is a Pauline letter written from prison. First, a thank-you is given to the Philippians for the money they gave Paul. These were his first European converts, and he had visited them on three occasions. Their persecution linked them to Paul’s own sufferings. Then in these verses, he sets a mood of joy and concern, sharing his gratitude and prayers for their continued growth. The passage is full of richly descriptive verbs: increase, improve, deepen, become, prepare, and reach. –– Sara Webb Phillips

John Rollefson, a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has served congregations in Los Angeles, Ann Arbor, Milwaukee, and San Francisco.

Sara Webb Phillips is a United Methodist minister serving Grace UMC in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a former co-editor of the journal Liturgy published quarterly by The Liturgical Conference.

Homily Service 43, no. 1 (2009): 14–22.