On this second Sunday of Advent, the theme of “preparation” dominates in both the prophesy of Isaiah and the Gospel from Mathew. These are familiar scripture passages but let us consider again how they relate to us? It’s hard for us to picture a scenario where we are surviving on locusts or where “The baby shall play by the Cobra’s den, and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair.” Both Isaiah and Mathew are trying with the most provocative and apocalyptic words they can offer to prepare their audience for the coming of the Messiah who will literally change everything. As today’s psalm proclaims, “Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace forever." John the Baptist cries out the same message. He serves as the bridge between the birth of Jesus and the start of His public ministry. John baptizes and preaches a message of repentance to prepare for the Messiah’s arrival. This is still a message we very much need to hear today. Are we preparing in our daily life for the Lord? Are we helping to build God’s kingdom here on earth? Are we focused on bringing peace, harmony, and forgiveness into our relationship with others? Do we offer words of welcome and encouragement to those in need? Are we producing “good fruit” as evidence of our repentance and acceptance of Christ? Or are we Christians in name only spreading animosity and judgement on others unlike us? Fortunately, we are not being asked to stand on the corner dressed in camel hair preaching about “unquenchable fire.” But St John the Baptist knew that true repentance starts with a change of heart. John tells us Jesus will baptize with the “Holy Spirit and fire.” Does that flame of faith burn brightly in our own hearts, shining out to draw others from darkness to the light of Christ?