You can almost hear the ‘over the back fence’ gossip taking place all over the hill country of Judea. ‘They named him John, no one in that family has ever been called John!’ ‘Yes, and no one has ever given birth at such an advanced age!’ ‘Did you hear that Zechariah was struck dumb but then suddenly began to speak once Elizabeth proclaimed what his name would be!’ All of this and more.

Yes, this John will grow up to join with Malachi (3:1-4) in proclaiming, ‘The Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight – indeed, he is coming.’

Many long for Spring at the end of Winter. The earth itself, parched and barren, longs for the rains. The expectant mother prepares the nursery for their long awaited one. The airport arrivals lounge is full of those waiting for the homecoming of loved ones. Yes, in the midst of life, we long for the dawn at the end of life’s long nights.

Too often, however, the messenger of this dawn, this birthing, the rain, and the Spring are the unimportant ones, the unseen ones, and the ordinary ones. Hence, too often, they are not heard, ignored or rejected. ‘Lift up your head and see – your redemption is near at hand’ says today’s psalmist.

As we edge close to Christmas let us lift up our heads, truly and deeply open our eyes, and quieten the egoic ramblings in our heads so we can truly hear. Then we will sense and see the presence of the prophet among us. Then we will see and hear – the God who loves us and seeks only to walk life’s journey beside us.

by Br Damien Price cfc