The song “Defying Gravity” is a favored song of the recently released movie “Wicked” in theaters. When two friends Elphaba and Glinda learn that the Wizard of Oz is not the wonderful figure he appears to be. Elphaba embraces her individuality and gravity by flying a broomstick. Not wanting to use her magical prowess for nefarious purposes against Oz, she gains her freedom by flying. Cynthia Erivo says in the official production notes. “There’s everything I could have wished for in this particular song. There’s no ceiling — anything is possible, and nothing is impossible. It’s a song that reminds us that those dreams of yours that you fear are too far, could happen if you just believe.”
Rather than getting caught up in others’ traps on us or lies we tell ourselves how others dream and see a world of possibilities such as Solomon building the temple or the the vision of French leadership to rebuild the Notre Dame Cathedral.
When Paul writes from prison to the struggling church at Philippi, he knows that the believers there are waiting for the second coming of Jesus, the moment foretold by John the Baptist when “all flesh shall see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6, from Isaiah 40:5). Some of the Philippians are growing fearful, and Paul offers a promise: “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” God is the one who begins all good works in us, and God is the one who will continue working to complete what we have started, even if we don’t live long enough to see the result.
The life of faith can give us glimpses of our life journey with work and hopes even beyond our lifetime?
Promising that things will get better to build optimism and hope is a dream for many. When the president or another elected figure fails in their work, as they often can, there is disappointment, disillusionment, letdown, and even anger. It is human nature to place Messiah expectations on our leaders to solve problems—from the economy to climate change to gun violence.
Today’s gospel has a list of powerful rulers of the time: an emperor, a governor, three tetrarchs, and two priests. Why we might ponder would Luke listed the people in charge of the world at that time?
Today we might say something like, in the final month of 2024, when Joe Biden was ending his reign, when Emmanuel Macron was the president of France. When Putin was in his fifth term as president of Russia. When congress was led by Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise, and the Supreme Court had a six-three conservative majority. While Daryl Steinberg was still major of Sacramento. When Francis had been pope for eleven years and Elizabeth Eaton was presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Luke says that the Word of God does not come to anyone on that long list: the movers and shakers, the folks with names, positions, and reputations. Instead, it comes to a wild man in the wilderness.
The powerful elite of Rome could impose all the taxes leaders and policies. Rome has a great infrastructure, but its leaders are full of themselves. Caesar trying to get into history books. And the others trying to feed their ego and make empty promises about change and hope.
The Word of God, the message of healing and salvation comes to John the Baptist. Not exactly lite or polished; however, we can’t get to Christmas without John. Here is wild John the Baptist every second Sunday of Advent, whether we like it or not. Before Mary and Joseph and the stories we love, there is first: John. While there are no John the Baptist Christmas tree ornaments or any Baptizer Christmas cards and not even a carols not to mention no manager displays include him. As one commentator says, “John is too untidy, too dangerous for Christmas. Invite John to your holiday party and he’ll spill eggnog all over your Persian rug as he flails his arms around talking about the need to repent.”
Yet God speaks to and through this man, the Gospel lesson says: a single oddball in the unlikely place. John is about change and hope.
The word repent of which John’s prophecy declares means to change. Change direction. Change your mind. Change your way of thinking.
When we get stuck in negative thinking, it’s time for change. When we wallow in guilt or play up our victim status, it’s time for change. When we act as if we are the center of the universe, it’s time to repent, it’s time for change. When we think we have all the answers and can’t listen to another perspective, it’s time to change our mind. When we begin to dominate others and fail to stand with the oppressed, it’s time for change. When we have run out of time and money and are out of our wits end, it is time for change. It’s time to repent. It’s time to confess our need for God.
Things are going to get evened out. God is the great leveler. Luke’s gospel is all about that. The lowly raised, the mighty brought down. The hungry fed and the rich were sent away. Every valley shall be filled. Every mountain and hill be made low. The crooked will be made straight and the rough places smooth.
We don’t know what we will hear when we turn on the news. Another shooting in broad daylight? Another scandal? Civility is gone. Our respect and language are debased. We don’t trust our leaders, the government, and institutions have lost their footing. Politicians leave us disillusioned and let down. How long can we go on like this?
Yet John makes promises: all flesh shall see the salvation of our God. In divine, tender compassion, the dawn will break upon us. To shine on those who dwell in the shadows. And to guide our feet into the way of peace.
If indeed, we live in the hope that anything is possible and nothing is impossible then let us hope and pray and work together. Let’s be bold in our trust, bold in our witness, bold in our work for justice, bold in our actions, bold in our living.
Life in these coming months of change will take all the resilience and enthusiasm we can muster. Our ultimate trust is not in false optimism or in political gaming. But in One who comes in great love and humility. The one who comes to lift the needy from their valleys of despair. The one who comes to level the mountains of pride and domination. The one who comes to lead us on the highway of freedom where all know shalom, wholeness, salvation, and peace that Christ comes to bring. Change is on the way! Come, Lord Jesus!
