The Holy Way for God’s People – 11 December 2022 – Third Sunday in Advent

It is very possible that the word of hope is meant especially for those whom it seemingly makes most hopeless. The readings proclaim new birth and remind the grieving of death. Hope is highlighted and despair quickens. If only because of the expectation that joy will reign, sorrow may become overwhelming. The community of faith must be aware of the need for increased support of members who are marginalized. —Blair Gilmer Meeks

Matthew 11:2–11

As if this near apostasy of John demands some explanation of his role, the narrative continues on the theme of John’s ministry. John is a prophet. He dwells in the wilderness and is neither frail (not a reed shaken in the wind, v 7) nor surrounded by luxury (the soft raiment of kings, v 8). But John is more than a typical prophet (v 9); he is the one who will prepare the way for the messiah (v 10; Malachi 3:1); he is the greatest of the prophets (that is, the greatest among those born of women, v 11a). —Blair Gilmer Meeks

James 5:7–10

The hallmark of Advent season is expectation. We await the birth of the child in his humble stall and stare with wide-eyed wonder at the kneeling beasts and reverent kings. Our expectation never fails to mount at this time. The admonition to be patient until the coming of the Lord, urged on us in James 5:7, is as difficult for many adults to practice as it is for children.

But the question we ask at this time is: What do we expect? In our rush to get the “sweet little Jesus boy” into his sanitized manger, we may forget just who this newborn purports to be. Matthew reminds us, but though we have heard his words over and over through the years, his lesson has not really registered. —Blair Gilmer Meeks

Isaiah 35:1–10

Here the blessedness of God’s people is described in their return to Zion. Verses 1–2 introduce the chapter by speaking of a special manifestation of God’s glory and its effect on the desert lands. The wilderness will bloom forth like the garden spots of the area: Lebanon, Mount Carmel and the plain of Sharon. . .

The weak and fearful need not cower because the new age will bring sight, hearing, strength and speech (vv 5–6). There will be a miraculous outpouring of water (cf. Exodus 17:1–7). Physical healing and life-giving water are gifts that particularly symbolize the wonder of God’s activity in the age that will replace the present.

The final section (vv 8–10) speaks of a highway that leads to Zion. In its eschatological interpretation it refers to the return of all diaspora Jews (cf. Isaiah 11:12; 27:12). The highway is holy; it is for the redeemed or ransomed. For God’s people travel to Zion will be easy. They will come rejoicing that the cares of this life have passed (v 10; cf. Revelation 21:1–4). —Blair Gilmer Meeks

Blair Gilmer Meeks, was at the time of this writing, a pastoral minister, writer of worship-related resources, and leader of workshops on worship living in Brentwood, Tennessee. Among her four books is Standing in the Circle of Grief: Prayers and Liturgies for Death and Dying (Nashville: Abingdon, 2002).

Homily Service 38, no. 1 (2004): 21–27.