When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.”

- Matthew 11:2-5 (NRSV)

Sunday 1 December is Advent Sunday, the first day of the season of Advent, a season in which we prepare to receive the Christ-child anew at Christmas time. Advent is a season of anticipation and excitement, for the prophets have foretold who this child – this Messiah – will be. John the Baptiser, referred to in Matthew 11:2-5 above, was one such prophet, and familiar with the words of the Old Testament prophets, including the words of Isaiah 35:5 to which Christ refers in his response to John’s disciples. Christ is indeed the fulfilment of this prophecy – and what good news this is indeed!

Revd Claudia Coustas

Chaplin