This Second Sunday of Advent, Rev. William H. Lamar IV explores the themes of repentance and the cultural strangeness embodied by John the Baptist. He emphasizes the importance of embracing the unconventional and the transformative nature of true repentance, which extends beyond personal feelings to encompass political and social dimensions. Rev. Lamar calls for a return to the wilderness, where the strange and marginalized voices can be heard, and encourages listeners to welcome the 'strange' in their communities and churches.

This week's text Matthew 3:1-6:
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
    make his paths straight.’ ”
4 Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins.


Chapters
00:00 The Call of John the Baptist
17:55 The Nature of Repentance and Change
23:42 Embracing the Strange in Faith