In the gospel from this Sunday (John 1: 6-8, 19-28), we hear again, for the second time this Advent, about John the Baptizer.

I love John and his sometimes-uncomfortable strangeness, camel-hair shirts and all, pointing to, getting ready for the one who is coming.

Rich Villodas is a Pentecostal Pastor and author from New York City. John the Baptist is also one of his favourite people from the Scriptures because, as Rich says, “he knew who he wasn’t (I am not the Messiah) and he knew who he was (I am a voice in the wilderness).”

There is a humbling freedom, I think, in knowing who you are and who you are not.

Today, let us remember who we are not:

We are not God. We are not the saviours of the world (or our country, or community, or Christmases…). We are not (nor do we have to be) perfect.

And let us remember who we are:

We are human beings – mortal, finite, fallible, dust-to-dust, ashes-to-ashes. AND we are agents of mercy, peace, and forgiveness. AND we are beloved children of God.

As we join John the Baptist in preparing for, pointing to Christ, may we be liberated by the knowledge of who we are and who we are not.

Thanks be to God!


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