But the theme of rejoicing is a subtle one in this year's readings. After all the first lesson is written to the people of Israel who were in exile from their own country; the lesson from James is addressed to a community which has suffered oppression; and the gospel begins with questions by John the Baptist in prison. Neither exile'oppression or prison is the obvious place to rejoice. I have not experienced any of these; but I expect the effect of them would easily lead to apprehension, fear of the future, anger, boredom and despair. One only has to think of those who have been incarcerated in Guantanamo Bay for seven years or those awaiting trial for months on end like our Albert Younos to imagine the depths of despair and hopelessness that would be your lot. Reading accounts of imprisonment of people like Terry Waite in the Lebanon years ago the worst enemy was not knowing what was going to happen and fearing the worst. Another way out of the predicament of exile or imprisonment would be to indulge in fantasy of the life of which you have been deprived and expect some return to that idealized life when you return or are released.

Isaiah give an incredible message to the Hebrew exiles: the prophet-poet sings of the saving activity of God who brings about restored relationship, climate change as well as restored health. Echoing that lesson from Isaiah last Sunday even the created order will respond to God's saving activity which will inaugurate God' peaceable kingdom. To a land which is made up largely of desert and semi-arid areas the prophet employs the language of blossoming and abundant water. This transformation is echoed in human health when the weak hands and feeble knees will be strengthened and made firm; when those with disabilities will be healed and restored. “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.” And God's people will be given a path which is direct and safe to tread: “A highway shall be there and it shall be called the Holy Way.” And those who walk it will not get lost; they will be safe. This way will be the Way Home, the return to Jerusalem from whence they had come. And those who walk it shall sing; “everlasting joy will be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” The prophet for all his cares and concerns for the future; for all his doubts about the ability of the exiles to fully respond; nevertheless he speaks the word of future hope with clarity and passion. For his faith is firmly grounded in God: “Here is your God. He will come and save you.” With this ringing and singing vision Isaiah lifts the exiles out of their fears and despair and gives them new hope and anticipation of God's saving purpose for them.

It is a lesson that speaks to us today. Only during these past weeks the UN has had its climate change conference going on in Bali in Indonesia. While the conference may have achieved some things there is a sense that so much more could have been done if there were sufficient political will. Vice-President Gore spoke with such authority and insight but as is often the case the prophet is heard politely and thanked and recognized for his good work. That conference needed to hear some of the vision that is spelled out in Isaiah: that God does have a future not only for us his people but for the whole creation. The church which for so long has said precious little in the climate control debate has no excuse but to speak out. For respect for and right use of the created order are all dealt with in the scriptures. The Hebrew Bible clearly teaches that God is the creator of all things: “the whole world is in his hands”.and entrusts that Creation to our stewardship. The current debate does demand Christian response not just to make petty political advantage or to score points but simply because a concern for the environment and the future of the earth flows from our fundamental belief in God, maker of heaven and of earth; in a God who is a God of salvation.

“Rejoice with joy and singing” says the prophet for you shall see the “glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.”

Today's Gospel sees a very different John the Baptist from last Sunday. Having been imprisoned by the wicked Herod John has lost his audience and is consumed by questioning and doubt. He even wonders whether his certainty in pointing to Jesus as the “one who is to come” was correct. Perhaps the judging Christ he had imagined does not match up to Jesus' ministry of love and reconciliation and healing. So consumed by doubt John sends an emissary to Jesus to ask “are you the one who is to come or are we to await for another”. Waiting can be really challenging. It's bad enough waiting to meet a friend who is perhaps caught in traffic or delayed for whatever reason. I always start wondering about the time or place we agreed upon. Or perhaps the arrangement was not as certain as I thought. But just imagine if you were locked up with no little or no communication. Just imagine the doubts and uncertainties eating away at your psyche.

But to John's question Jesus answers robustly in terms of Isaiah's prophecy: Go tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the poor have the good news brought to them.” In other words God's promised redeemed future is taking place in the person and work of Jesus. He is the one who is to come but in ways beyond John's imagining. Not that John was wrong. Rather God is always bigger, more wonderful, more creative than we are able or dare to think. That has so much to say to the church today. I really wonder about so many popular evangelists in the mega churches of this land who seem to make God a god of prosperity and success. This seems so far from the God of the Scriptures and of Advent; a God who not only created the world; but demands faithfulness and obedience to his ways; who entered into the world's suffering through his Son on the Cross; and is a God who judges the world with justice and mercy. When John heard of Jesus' response I am sure his heart was warmed as he recognized the fulfillment of the Isaianic prophecy.

The reading from James counseling patience to the suffering, beleagured Christian community. “Be patient therefore beloved until the coming of the Lord.” But that community was also in a difficult place where it is easy to lose sight of God's future. The “therefore” at the opening to today's reading links it to what has gone before in chapter 5 which is a denunciation of those who have made their money out of oppression and through deceit. The writer appears to be addressing those who are their victims. To them he offers the examples of the farmer and the prophet who wait in faith and trust. “Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” Don't give up even though you are facing tough times. Don't lose sight of the promises of God; of God's future.

It is this sense of God's rich future, of the “more to come”, that is the theme of these readings and of this day. Therefore rejoice. Amen

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