Third Sunday of Advent | 14.12.2025 | Matthew 11:2-15 | David M. Wendel | 

First Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10

Second Reading: James 5:7-11

Matthew 11:2-15 English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles

 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples ³ and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” ⁴ And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: ⁵ the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers^[a] are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. ⁶ And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

⁷ As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸ What then did you go out to see? A man^[b] dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings‘ houses. ⁹ What then did you go out to see? A prophet?^[c] Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.¹⁰ This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ ¹¹ Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹² From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,^[d] and the violent take it by force. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, ¹⁴ and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. ¹⁵ He who has ears to hear,^[e] let him hear.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Sing with me: “Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, had a very shiny nose, and if you ever saw it, you would even say it glows.  All of the other reindeer, used to laugh and call him names, they never let poor Rudolph, play in any reindeer games.  Then one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say, “Rudolph, with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight.  Then how the reindeer loved him, as they shouted out with glee, Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, you’ll go down in history!”

Bet you never sang “Rudolph” in church before!  After singing this ditty at our council and staff gathering last Sunday evening, I was thinking about the similarities between Rudolph and another well-known public figure– John the Baptist! And while I’m guessing you might never in a million years have thought of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and John the Baptist, together—the truth is there are more similarities than you might realize!  For example, Rudolph was an outcast because he was different—the other reindeer wouldn’t let him play in their reindeer games, because he had a bright red, shiny nose.  John the Baptist was also isolated, partly by his own choice, because he wanted to live differently from those in the big cities who wore soft robes and fancy jewelry and comfortable houses.  John was decidedly different, living apart from others, eating locust and wild honey, wearing animal skins for clothing.  And yet, when the time was right, just as Rudolph’s red-nose came to be a blessing, as Santa called him into service to lead the way on a dark and foggy Christmas Eve, so John the Baptist, for all his quirkiness, when the time was right, was called into service, not by Santa, but by God, who sent John to be the messenger, to go ahead of the Messiah to prepare the way, truly, to lead the way for the coming Lord!

This was and is, the ministry of John the Baptist—as Jesus Himself speaks of John, saying, “This is the one of whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ ”  And Jesus continues saying, “Truly I tell you, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Like Rudolph, John has gone down in history!” John has gone down in history as a prophet and more than a prophet!  But, the other John, St. John the evangelist, reminds us that as great as this John was—though John the Baptist was sent from God—he came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him.  John the Baptist was not the Light but came to bear witness to the light.  And there, of course, is the difference between Rudolph and John the Baptizer.  Though they both were unusual and unique, though they both were called upon to lead the way, though they both are remembered in history—Rudolph, or rather, Rudolph’s nose, was the light—helping Santa and the other reindeer to bring joy to all the girls and boys. But John was not the light, nor did he pretend to be the light. In fact, he was careful to remind everyone that he was only making ready the way for the one who was to come, pointing always behind him, to Jesus, the Messiah, who would come to bring the True Light, who would come to be the Light, bringing joy to the world.  And that is what the ministry of John was all about, being the forerunner who would make straight the roadway, make level the path, for the True Light who was coming into the world—to bring, yes, JOY!

And though John was the last and the greatest prophet, he was in the lineage of the other prophets who foretold the coming of the Messiah, not the least of which was Isaiah, who writes of the coming time of the Messiah, “the wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom;  like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.”   From the beginning, the coming of the Messiah was to bring Light, and the Light would enlighten the darkness and fog and confusion of the world, and the Light would create in the hearts of men and women, young and old–joy!

Which is why, in the third week of Advent, we celebrate Gaudete Sunday—Joy Sunday.  Because, in the midst of the dreariness of December, in the midst of  the dreariness of life, in the midst of our Advent existence which is still, in spite of our best efforts, often preoccupied with buying and decorating and overscheduled calendars;  in the midst of what can be at times, a burdensome, trudging journey towards Christmas; in the midst of all that the four weeks before Christmas has become in the secular world, in the Church, we come and we are reminded today of JOY!  Joy in our hearts and lives, because, as the Christ has come, He still comes and is coming—to bring life—life that is the Light of mankind. Light that shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.  The Light of Christ that brings joy, even to we who are struggling with illness and infirmity.  Joy, even to we who are grieving the loss of a loved one and the adjustments that come with it. Joy to those who are struggling at work or are out of work, uncertain about the future.  Joy to those of us who are raising teenagers and have trouble seeing light at the end of the tunnel.  Joy to those who will have a slim Christmas this year.  Joy to those who will be alone and perhaps, lonely this Christmas.  Joy, because the Light has come and the light is, even now, shining into the darkness, like a lighthouse on a foggy, dark night!

Martin Luther wrote, “And the angel said to the shepherds, ‘Fear not:  for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”  This joy”, writes Luther, “is not just for Peter and Paul, but for all people.  Not just to apostles, prophets and martyrs does God say ‘Come, see the Baby Jesus,’ but God says it to you. “For unto you is born this day—that is, unto us!”  Luther says, “This is the way to observe this feast—that Christ be formed in us.  It is not enough that we should hear his story if our hearts are closed.  I must listen, not to a history, but to a gift.  What is it to me if someone else has goods, honors, riches, and a pretty wife,” writes Luther.  “That doesn’t touch my heart.  But if you hear that this Christ Child is yours, as you receive Him, you will be joyful.”

That’s what Gaudete Sunday is proclaiming to us, to you and to me today.  This is what John the Baptist gives witness to, today—that the Light that shines in the darkness has come, and is coming, to bring joy—joy, to you and to your loved ones, joy in your heart and life!  And just as we will receive the Christ, on Christmas, let us also receive Him, today—as today, He incarnates Himself, again, to become God with us—in flesh and blood, in the Sacrament of His presence among us—to bring us, light, and joy—and so, hope, and peace.  Today.  As we receive Him.  As we eat his flesh and drink His blood and have His life, in us!  For joy!

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

©The Rev. Dr. David M. Wendel
d.wendel@grace43081.org
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
Westerville, Ohio USA