SERMON – John Fraser Riverside Reflections: Preparing the Way
Second Sunday of Advent (Peace)
Good morning fellow travelers to week 2 on this Advent road trip – “A BC Road Trip to the Manger in Bethlehem.”
Some of us are making our way there in our cars, others like a good hike – so they go on foot. Still others want a very good workout in the process and so are riding to the manger as we see demonstrated by Linda this morning. (If we look closely, we will see that our traveller has a bible too).
Last week, we marveled at the celestial signs that guide us on our journey to Bethlehem. Today, we make our second stop, immersing ourselves in the waters of John Fraser’s Riverside Preparations.
As we journey through Mark 1:1-8, recalling the Gospel reading, picture a riverbank like the Fraser River with lots of people. In those days, there would be lots of hikers and walkers in sandals to the site, and the riverbank would be adorned with camels as well. Today we have riders too. Imagine with you for a while and listen to the gentle sound of flowing water, and imagine the untamed wilderness, like an expansive farmland, surrounding you. This is the place where John the Baptist emerged, calling out as we heard in the Gospel reading, calling for people to prepare the way of the Lord.
[See Sermon Notes for remaining text.]
