2nd Sunday of Advent
John the Baptist as the forerunner and way-preparer for the Messiah.
Bibelsk grunnlag
John cries out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight!' (Matt 3:1-12, Mark 1:1-8, Luke 3:1-18). He baptizes for repentance and points forward to a stronger one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Isaiah 40:3-5 speaks of the voice in the wilderness preparing the way. Malachi 3:1 and 4:5 speak of the messenger and Elijah who is to come.
Betydning
John represents the transition between the old and new covenants. He is the last prophet and the first to point directly to Jesus. The call to repentance reminds us that God's coming requires preparation—not outward adornment, but inner change. 'Bear fruit in keeping with repentance' (Matt 3:8).
GT-forbindelser
Isaiah 40:1-11—'Comfort, comfort my people' and the voice crying in the wilderness. Malachi 3:1 about the messenger who prepares the way. Malachi 4:5-6 about the prophet Elijah who is to come before the great day of the Lord. Isaiah 35 about the blossoming of the wilderness when the Lord comes.
Liturgisk kontekst
Purple color. The readings alternate between prophetic expectation and a call to repentance. In many traditions, Isaiah 40 is read as one of the main texts.
Historie
John the Baptist has been a central figure in Advent liturgy since the early church. Several Church Fathers (Origen, Chrysostom) interpreted John as the final Elijah. The Advent season was early on characterized by his call to repentance as preparation for Christmas.