Bible Text: Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 1:68-79 | Preacher: Rev. Jenn Geddes
Every morning I have the same routine. My alarm goes off and I immediately press snooze button in the hopes of catching another five minutes. But every morning it’s the same because as soon as my cat Charlie hears the chime of my alarm he jumps up on the bed, promptly walks up my body and sits either right against or right on my face- purring loudly. Every morning I have the same routine, I push Charlie off and spend 20 minutes on my recumbent bike, while Charlie bats at my knee as it goes up and down. Every morning its the same, after the bike I put the water on in the tea kettle- but often the walk from the bike to the kitchen is a treacherous one because Charlie likes to weave through or run in front of every step I take- there is also a great risk that one may never know what cat toys have been dropped in the middle of the floor in the middle of the night. But sometimes, just sometimes, that routine is completely thrown off course when Kato, Mike’s cat, wakes up at the same time. She is, after all, named after Clouseau’s manservant, Kato, in the pink panther due to her desire to jump out and surprise you. Forget the regular routine if she is up- either because everyone is so shocked or because we want to revel in her rare desire to seek out attention. No matter what I do in the morning to prepare for my day my routine can sometimes be rather unpredictable with two lovely cats around. The routine, however, ensures that I am ready for my day- most of the time, on time.
While a routine is supposed to help us prepare- there are times when a routine can hinder. Routines, the familiar, while providing us with a place of comfort can also make us complacent. The regular traditions of Christmas can be central to our celebrations but they can also become the same old thing, year after year after year. When our worship is the same thing- every time- sure we know what we are in for, but that means we are less likely to be prepared for the unexpected- for the new things that God does- each day. This is what Malachi is warning against- the daily routine of temple worship isn’t helping faith growth but rather creating indifference and cynicism. Apathy is the worst thing to faith development.
As I mentioned in the introduction, the oracles of Malachi were written perhaps a century or two after the temple was rebuilt. They were hopeful that once the temple was built the nation of Israel would rise, the monarchy would be restored, there was much hope and excitement in the potential that this temple would be the centre of God among them once again. But after a few years, maybe a few hundred years, and things are still the same old routine, they have lost some of that hope, much of that energy, and a lot of that excitement. The temple and town of Jerusalem are beginning to look more like a backwater town than the cosmic centre of the universe. Daily routine now threatens to extinguish salvation. For Malachi the greatest danger for faith that is being explored is the indifference to the presence of God in the daily routines of the people of God. Malachi helps us to understand what it means to wait for God when routine threatens to extinguish visions of salvation. Ironically sometimes our need to feel ready means we are caught unprepared.
Zechariah’s Benedictus is then the response to Malachi. Zechariah believes that John the Baptist, his son, is the messenger who will prepare the way of the Lord- who will break from routine so that all may see the very new thing God will do- prepare the way for God to change lives. What is interesting is that Zechariah uses a very old, and probably very familiar formula to celebrate this very new thing. So, this is not really about breaking with heritage or tradition, its not about breaking away from routine completely but rather it is about looking to our past as examples of God’s presence- and that time and time again, God has been with us through all that change, through all that energy and enthusiasm, through all those challenges, and that is proof that God will be with us into our future. Zechariah’s song is written in the style of a psalm- the oldest forms of liturgy found in the Bible. Zechariah also calls upon the past in order to look to the future. This psalm brings together two visions or understandings of salvation that reside alongside each other. The first part of the song emphasizes redemption as a social and political act- we hear echoes of exodus imagery and the hope and desire for a righteous king. But then it moves to a more personal notion of salvation, “Through the heartfelt mercies of our God, God’s sunrise will break in upon us, shining on those in the darkness, those sitting in the shadow of death. Then showing us the way, one foot at a time, down the path of peace.”
Zechariah’s song shares a deep understanding of being faithful to God and God’s promises spoken in the Old Testament and fulfilled through Jesus Christ. This psalm is a link between the old and the new, between the routine and remarkable, between the mundane and the sacred. In fact, both he and his wife Elizabeth tend to bridge the gap between Old Testament traditions and New Testament beginnings. Both of them were on in years when this miracle of life blessed their family. Both of them have a moment of shock upon given this news. In fact, Zechariah is so surprised and questions the angel that he is made mute until he names his child. The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth are rather similar to the story of Abraham and Sarah. The song is personified by Zechariah’s life.
This is not, however, just a song or even a psalm, for as the text in Luke says, “Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy.” The English translation sounds a bit harsh, in Greek the phrase is “epropheiteusen legon,” ok, that doesn’t exactly soften it. However a more accurate translation is that he prophesied these words, meaning that this is not a prediction but rather a spirit led speech. The Spirit broke into the routine of a naming ceremony and revealed words of hope and peace. The Spirit coming into the world and interrupting the ordinary is what the whole story of Jesus is about. While John’s role will be to set the stage for Jesus, Jesus sets the stage for the constant presence of God, through the Holy Spirit. Are we ready for that extraordinary event?
John will prepare the way- much as Malachi envisioned- but Zechariah’s song is also a warning against routine. The theme of preparation is central to Advent. But what does it mean to us? How do we prepare for the coming of Christmas Day? Is it filled with traditions that help or hinder? How do we as a church prepare for the advent of God in our world? Even as we set this table and prepare to have a meal together- we do it in a way that is familiar and even routine. But it is our task to find that even while we are comfortable we cannot grow complacent, even while we hear familiar words we are welcomed in new ways, even while we consume familiar flavours they are calling us toward a new life.
Because the same question remains, are we ready? Are we set, for God?