12.11.2005 | Brood of vipers

In what important way think you different from the crowd that John the Baptist was addressing? And, in "you", I very much include myself. In this season of Advent, it is all too easy to fall into the holly-jolly-deck-the-halls-and-let's-be-merry crapulence.

Not that I've anything against being merry, or the occasional pint of good cheer. But not in His name. And, most certainly, not in celebration before it's due. We should be humble, contrite, and confess our sins to God. In the hope that He will forgive us, and welcome us into the Advent of His Son.

These days, whenever I see yet another cheap and tawdry "Xmas" display at some store, I wish I had the guts to yell out what my namesake did (Luke 3):

7He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

Get on your knees, if not literally, then in your hearts. Repent. And believe the Good News.

| technorati tag | Christianity|