"A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. (Luke 3:4-5)
- The Season of Advent is the beginning of the Christian year, and thus has similar themes to that of the secular new year. Most people want to focus on the baby Jesus (justifiably so), but the text above is talking about preparations for the arrival of the adult Jesus. John the Baptist is gathering using every tool at his disposal to attract people to the message that is to come.
- The picture above is looking down on a brand new intersection in Beijing, China. The caption below the picture reads, "New, wide roadways with separate bus lanes and elevated subway line." These improvements in transportation lanes were part of the plans to prepare for the previous Summer Olympics in Beijing. These types of changes are always necessary when a city makes a bid to the International Olympic Committee.
- The scripture above suggests a similar image was used in preparation for Jesus' arrival. The image is both literal and metaphorical. People will be arriving from many different areas and crowding the streets to see Jesus. They will be speaking different languages, will be out of their element, and will slow down the transportation process for locals. It also uses transportation images to talk about the much more important matter of clearing the path to one's heart and mind.
- On New Year's Eve we reflect on a year in which we have had enormous victories and devastating defeats. We dwell on past achievements and failures far too long, and both cloud our ability to hear the word of God. John the Baptist's words were true then and are true today..."Prepare the way for the Lord" because the word will change our entire outlook on life.
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