Today we have the first Advent visit with John the Baptist, and he has a message for the people of his day, and for us, to prepare for the coming. It is the how to prepare and what we get for preparing that got my attention this week. It got my attention because of what is happening around us as we get ready for Christmas that detracts from us actually preparing. And that is especially poignant for us this year because Thanksgiving fell so late in the November, leaving precious few days to get everything done. Let’s take a look at what John is reminding us of.

Luke tells us that the word of God came to John in the desert, God calling John to fulfill his role to prepare the people for the coming of our Savior. John proclaimed a baptism of repentance and called the people to, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” An important reminder of what really matters. But what does it mean to make straight his paths? I think he is calling us to simplify our lives.

To make straight his path, we are called to declutter our minds and open a pathway for Him right straight into our hearts. When we do that, when we repent as John asks, when we declutter our minds, Jesus is so easily welcomed into our hearts. That is simply what John calls us to do, but it is in doing that well where the changes in a cluttered season can really happen. That is what the rest of the Gospel is talking about, the benefits of this clear pathway so that Jesus resides more deeply in our decluttered minds and hearts.

The reading speaks to this outcome. When it states, “Every valley shall be filled” it means that with Jesus welcomed and residing in us, we more easily navigate and frankly avoid the valleys of our despair and anxiety that seem to find a home in our hearts this time of year.

When is says, “and every mountain shall be made low” it means that instead of trying to climb the mountain to get to what the world says will bring us happiness, we see the real goal, the real summit of what we should aspire to… Him. The mountain we need to climb to find Him concretely in our lives is no mountain at all, it’s not even a hill. It is a pathway we open for Him when we declutter, when we simplify. 

From there the Gospel states, “The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth.” For us this means that life will be simpler, fewer twists and turns, better focus on the goal that really matters because we know where we are going with Him at our side. 

The Gospel finishes with, “and all flesh shall see the salvation of God”, meaning we will see Jesus Christ not only at work in our lives, but we shall see him in heaven. The first reading today also echoes this ultimate outcome when it states, “For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, and the age-old depths and gorges be filled to ground level, that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.” I like that! Secure in the glory of God. We all want to feel more secure.

John’s call to us… simplify, declutter so that our valleys of despair are filled, our mountainous problems are made low and our tricky, bumpy roads are made straight and smooth. That is what John promises us and why we as Christians have hope. Does that sound good? Are we sick and tired of pursuing stuff the world says is important and is out of reach? Do we need this in the midst of a cluttered world and a cluttered life? Yes, we need all of that joy, all of that security, all of those problems solved in our lives right now. 

John reminds us of where our joy really is. John reminds us that when we strip away all of that noise and clutter, when we simplify, we can see and feel what really makes us truly happy. John the Baptist had it right, remember when he leapt in Elizabeth’s womb just because he was close to Jesus in Mary’s womb? That’s the joy we want.

So, this Advent, to simplify, let’s spend a little time in prayer. 

This Advent, let’s spend a little time in Adoration.

 This Advent, let’s spend a little time… in love with our Savior.

And he will bring that true Christmas hope. 

“Prepare the way of the Lord….”