What is the point of an opening act? While those who serve as the opening act at a concert or show often hope to become the headliner, the opening act has an important purpose in itself. It serves to prepare the audience, getting them “warmed up,” so that they are fully present to the moment, enthusiastic, excited, and ready to enjoy the main act.
John the Baptist serves as the opening act in the story of Jesus’ birth as well as his ministry. John’s birth story shows up as part of the birth story of Jesus to let us know of God’s faithfulness to Israel and to prepare us for the birth of the Messiah. This is the one they have been waiting for. When Mary visits to share her news, John leaps in his mother Elizabeth’s womb. Even in this joyful moment, he is building our sense of excitement and enthusiasm for the main event, the birth of Jesus Christ.
Later, before Jesus’ public ministry begins, we again find John as the opening act, getting people ready to meet Jesus and hear what he has to say. He calls the people to repentance, asking them to look inward, examine their hearts and lives, and to make the changes needed so they are ready and excited to respond to Jesus. He baptizes many as a sign of that change.
For us today, we observe Advent as the opening act. It is a season of anticipation and expectation. It’s easy to rush to the main act of Christmas and celebrating Jesus’ birth. In our rush, we often miss the opening act of Advent. But we know that the opening act has an important purpose. It prepares us and helps us enjoy and experience the main act of Christmas even more.
In our worship this season we are taking time to prepare by hearing and reflecting on the “Songs of Advent.” These are not the Christmas carols we think of singing this time of year. These are the songs of longing, expectation, and hope that come from individuals in the Bible as they waited for the Messiah to come. These are the songs or canticles we find in the scripture of those who experienced God’s faithfulness and couldn’t help but singing in response. Their experienced inspired them to proclaim how God would act in even more profound ways.
This Sunday we focus on the song of Zechariah, often called the Benedictus. Zechariah was the father of John the Baptist. He had a surprise visit from an angel in the temple that rendered him speechless for nine months. These are the first words he says after a long silence.
The choirs will sing his words and we will have time to reflect on them, trusting that as we do, they will prepare our hearts, minds, and lives to even more joyfully sing the Songs of Christmas.
Advent blessings!
Pastor Suzanne