Make way for the King at the invitation of John the Baptist

Third Sunday of Advent

First Edition

Gospel Matthew 11:2–10 Make way for the King

When John heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent his disciples to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:

The blind receive their sight and the lame walk,

lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear,

the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

Blessed is anyone who does not reject me.”

After they left, Jesus began to speak to the people about John:

“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? Or what did you expect to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? In royal palaces you find people who wear fine clothes! What did you expect to see? A prophet? Yes, and I tell you that he is more than a prophet. He is the one about whom it is written, ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’” (Matthew 11:2–10 First Edition)

Christmas

Christmas is almost here, and its atmosphere brings back warm memories. For most people, Christmas means lovingly prepared moments with family and the magic of childhood Christmases. For many, Christmas time brings back memories of a time when there was not enough money for gifts, but there was plenty of love. Parents worked their magic and created unforgettable Christmas memories. On the other hand, there are also those for whom Christmas means loneliness when loved ones are far away. However, the season of Advent unites us in preparing for the great celebration of joy, the birth of Christ.

John the Baptist stands out as the emblem of Advent. That voice of the prophet who lived two thousand years ago reminds us of its importance. He who proclaimed repentance and called the people to prepare is still relevant today. "Make way for the King" - he still cries out, calling us to prepare for the birth of our Savior.

John's voice and Advent

John the Baptist's sermons were powerful and direct. His call to repentance concerned everyone, not just ordinary citizens. He also questioned the actions of those in power. This courage is one of the reasons why John the Baptist has gone down in history. Two years ago, on Christmas 2021, about 60 percent of Finns spent Christmas with their families, which highlights the importance of community. This connection is an important part of the message of Christmas. The third Sunday of Advent is dedicated to his proclamation. Why? Because it challenges us to ask: who is our king? When we recognize it, we can think about how we can open the way for the king who was born in Bethlehem.

The birth of the king and its meaning

The birth of the king is not just a memory of the past. It signifies God's presence in our midst today. Christ still comes to his church through the word and sacraments. We can take control of this era and ask how we can prepare to receive him. For most Finns, religion and spiritual life are important at Christmas. This shows how many of us want to open our hearts to Christ and experience his presence. Advent is therefore a time when we can ask: what should we organize in our lives so that we can open the doors to his joy? This can mean cutting down on busyness or finding shared moments with loved ones.

How can we make way for the King?

When we talk about removing obstacles, we can think about our worries and fears. Christmas brings with it a lot of hustle and bustle: buying gifts, preparing festive treats, and cleaning the house. However, we can find peace when we focus on what is truly important. Perhaps we just need a moment to calm down. Christmas is here, and family connection takes center stage; I would recommend that we set aside time for conversations, memories, and laughter.

Listening to the Call of John the Baptist

John the Baptist highlighted the need for a change of heart. We too need to question our own habits. How can we open ourselves to the new? We can ask ourselves what we really need from our spiritual life and what we can do about it. Try, for example, using a daily prayer time or quiet moments to reflect on your own relationship with Jesus. Small daily changes can lead to a big change in our hearts.

The message of Christmas and its power

Advent reminds us of the power of Christmas. The birth of Christ brings us peace and joy. We Finns long for rest and peace at Christmas. Is there room in your heart for this joy? We can share this joy with those around us during Christmas and at other times as well. When we open ourselves to the King, our hearts also open to love and grace. During Christmas, we don’t just exchange gifts, we can share heartfelt warmth, forgiveness and connections.

The Bible and Christmas Time

The stories of the Bible speak very powerfully during the Christmas season. Matt. 11:2–10 tells of John the Baptist’s mission to prepare the way for Christ. This is still relevant to us, even though our times and environments are different. We can look to these stories for inspiration, which guide us to a deeper understanding of Christmas.

Psychological research has also shown that spiritual and communal moments can bring meaning to life. Connection with others and with God is vital to well-being.

A Time for Respect, Peace, and Joy

Christmas is a time for respect and humanity. Let us open our hearts and communities to the central message of Christmas: to love and care for one another. We do well to remember that the core message of Christmas is love and connection. Christmas may bring peace and meaning, but it requires active participation and sincere will from us. As we prepare to welcome the King, let us remember that the peace and joy of Christmas are achievable without great deeds. We can find them in small moments. Let us celebrate time with family, remember the past, and hope for the future. Christmas gives us the opportunity to experience much-needed peace and meaning. It requires us to be active and ready to share our love. Let us fill our hearts with hope and joy so that we can share it with others.

Summary: Christmas and the Call of the King

John the Baptist’s words “make way for the King” invite us to prepare for the coming of Christ. Advent offers us an opportunity to reflect on what this means in our lives. As we enter the Christmas season, we must remember that we are on a journey. Let us make room for the King together and ensure that our message brings peace and joy to all around us. Christmas is more than a celebration; it is an opportunity to open our hearts to love and to be supportive of one another. In the light of Christmas, we can find peace and joy. Let us prepare the way for the King together, and allow this time to be renewed and to truly live the miracle of Christmas!

Make way for the King. Let us open our hearts and our communities to be filled with the message of Christmas. May this Christmas season bring peace and joy to all of us as we internalize the call of John the Baptist!