Third Sunday of Advent – December 15

The Word

Luke 3:15-18

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

JESUS MAFA. John the Baptist preaching in the desert, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=48386 [retrieved June 16, 2024]. Original source: http://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr (contact page: https://www.librairie-emmanuel.fr/contact).

Reflect

By Sam Gunter

At the very start of this verse, the people question John, asking whether he was the one they had been waiting for, the Messiah. He gives them a resolute “no,” saying that he was unworthy to even serve Jesus. He says that Jesus is great and powerful, and all John can do is baptize.

Many of us can relate to this. In the season of Advent, we may feel like we have to be on top of everything going into vacation, we need to have bought all the presents and sent out all the cards. But, like John, we’re not Jesus. We can’t do everything. Even a straight-A student will miss a few deadlines or forget about something every now and then.

Knowing that we can’t be on top of things, there are still some things we can do. Like John, we can proclaim the good news. We can encourage others to be on top of their projects. We can spread Christmas cheer. We can spread the word of the Lord, and help others. This is a very important role, and is vital in this stressful season. We can’t do it all, but we still have to help others and spread good news. If everyone did that, think of how much better this season could be. In the coming weeks, try to remember: you can’t do everything, but you can at least help others.

Listen

By Dr. Ben Hutchens

A Live Recording from Westminster’s Service of Advent Lessons & Carols 2024

Westminster’s Youth Handbell Choir, Jubilate Ringers, provide the music for this week. The piece “Advent Joy” includes two familiar and beloved hymn tunes. 

HYFRYDOL is a beloved Welsh hymn tune, composed by Rowland Huw Prichard in 1830 when he was just 20 years old. Its name, meaning “cheerful” in Welsh, aptly reflects its uplifting and lyrical character. HYFRYDOL is noted for its smooth, flowing melody, making it an enduring favorite in hymnody. The tune is most commonly associated with Charles Wesley’s text “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” though it has also been paired with other texts, such as “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.” Its adaptable nature and emotional depth have cemented its place in Christian worship across denominational lines. 

BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN, meaning “Prepare the Way for the Lord” in Swedish, is a hymn tune associated with Advent and the anticipation of Christ’s coming. The melody originates from a Swedish folk tune and is traditionally linked to the text by Frans Mikael Franzén, a Swedish bishop and poet. The tune carries a regal and processional quality, evoking the sense of joy and preparation central to the Advent season. Its clear, ascending lines and steady rhythm reflect the theme of spiritual readiness and celebration. While it is deeply rooted in Scandinavian liturgical traditions, BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN has also found its place in broader Christian worship, offering a melodic glimpse of the anticipation and hope that characterize the weeks leading up to Christmas.