Sunday, December 11, 2022  

Today’s Scripture Reading
John 1:19–28

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said.

Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. (NRSV)

Reflection

This story from the Gospel of John reminds me of the questions from the Caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll:

“Who are you?” said the Caterpillar.

This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, “I—I hardly know, Sir, just at present—at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.”

“What do you mean by that?” said the Caterpillar, sternly. “Explain yourself!”

“I can’t explain myself, I’m afraid, Sir,” said Alice, “because I am not myself, you see.”

John is able to say that he is the “voice calling in the wilderness” and that he is “the one who baptized with water” but that one will follow who will baptize with love. With understanding. With knowledge. Alice doesn’t know who she is anymore, she is not herself anymore. What Alice thought of herself is no longer true. As she wanders through Wonderland Alice also is paving the way—the way for us as the Dear Reader to follow into the wilderness, into Wonderland. How many times we have changed from just this morning, from this time last Advent season last year? What is it we know without a doubt about ourselves? About John? About God? About Jesus? About ourselves?

What we do know is that this is a time of waiting, of transformation, of magic, of a winter wonderland. We wait with eager hearts as the chaos of the season fills us with dread and hope. We know the traditions, we create new ones, we illuminate and we notice where there is darkness. In this season of Advent, ask yourself where are you the “voice in the wilderness” and where do you hear that voice. Ask yourself who you are. “It is never too late to be what you might have been.”—George Eliot.

Prayer

Dear coming Lord, let us acknowledge the places inside where we were scared to dare to hope for your light, for your brightness, for the ways in which you are loving, knowing, and baptizing. We think we know who we are—but you surprise us. We think we know who you are—and yet you surprise us. Let us continue to delight in the surprise of you, us, and the season. May all our days be merry and bright. Merry Christmas. 

Written by Jessica Wang, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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