Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth.

These words are found in both readings today. God’s promise to the people in exile and those awaiting a savior gave hope to those who bore the weight of a world in turmoil and uncertainty. This promise is made to us today: the valleys of violence, distrust, and insecurity will be filled so that we might safely travel through our lives. The mountains and hills of worry and fear that grip us will be made low.

John the Baptist encouraged a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. When we were baptized into the life of Christ, we not only received forgiveness of sin, but the Holy Spirit gifted us with all we need to travel the road leading to salvation and peace. The readings from Saint Paul remind us that the one who began this good work in us will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.

And so, we pray during this Advent season with hearts full of gratitude for what we have been given. Also, with determination, we might live our call to fill the valleys and make the hills low that cause us to stumble along the road.

We come together at each Eucharist to walk our advent journey, preparing for the coming of Jesus with openness, simplicity, and truth. The emptiness of our outstretched hand when approaching the reception of communion is our advent gesture of hope and fulfillment.

What valleys and hills in our lives keep God from completing the work begun in us?

Let us pray:

Lord God, we ask for faith that we might trust in your presence even in our distress. We ask for hope that we might believe in your mercy and become merciful to others. We ask for love so that we might cling to you and find your promised joy. Amen.