After his baptism at the River Jordan, even though the power of the Holy Spirit was with him, Jesus was led into the desert by the devil. For forty days long days he was tested. He was tempted to turn his back on God’s word. Encouraged to go his own way. Bullied to find an easy way out, but Jesus didn’t break.
After weeks of talking about the advent of Jesus. His birth. The swaddling clothes, the manger, all his visitors and the star in the sky – we’ve made that sudden transition to stories about Jesus, all grown up and getting to work.
Advent is a curious time. The hymns are often in a minor key. They’re expectant and yet not always very cheerful. The scripture readings for a lot of Advent are about tough subjects like repentance and the end of time. John the Baptist is anything but cheery. And the prophets – well it’s their job…