It’s the Third Sunday of Advent, when the pink candle of our Advent wreaths are lit, reminding us that we can take a breather from our advent discipline and that Christmas is drawing near. We hear the good news and the exhortations of John the Baptizer, who in this week’s Gospel reading greets the crowds coming out to be baptized by him by calling them a bunch of poisonous snakes that are trying to escape from the Wrath and Punishment that they surely deserve.

That’s right – it’s time to start wishing each other a Merry Christmas!

In some ways this is my favorite Sunday of the Liturgical year because it’s so our of step with what’s happening in the culture around us – Christmas is closer and we’re making our final preparations, and we’re probably planning our holiday parties. And yet, the Church is telling us, by choosing this reading in particular, that something very unexpected is actually happening.

You can view the sermon directly at this link.