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With the spirit and power of Elijah he will go before him, to turn the hearts of parents to their children…to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
--Luke 1:17
As I reflected on today’s Gospel reading, this verse resonated with me the most. John the Baptist’s purpose is to prepare people for the coming of the Lord, by calling them to repentance and reconciliation. He knows, but the people have no idea what what’s coming. Jesus will shake things up, and we need to change the way we think (“repent”) to see the world through his eyes.
This passage says that John will “turn the hearts of parents to their children.” When my children were growing into adulthood and forming their identities as members of the LGBTQ+ community, I struggled with some of their decisions that didn’t fit my own hopes for their future. Through many conversations, patience, and understanding, my heart was turned to appreciate and support the path in life they were following. I had to check my own expectations at the door and try to see their world through their eyes. This was a period of growth for me as a parent—an advent, if you will, a coming into being.
So, too, through prayer and reflection, we have this Advent season as an opportunity to prepare our hearts for Jesus and maybe to view those we love through his eyes.
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