Second Sunday of Advent (Year B, RCL)

The son of a truck driver, I like highways and image of travel. Checking The New Interpreter’s Bible Dictionary's entry about roads and highways, I learned that a messila was a built-up road, intentionally constructed and improved, while a derekh (Num. 20:17, 19, Judg. 21:19) was a path was formed because of constant use and thus had become a road.

While Christian scholars have long questioned body-soul dualism, it remains common in church circles. This may finally be changing.

As the second Sunday in advent approaches, I find the prophets of the season compelling. To my ears, their message sounds pretty consistent: "Change the ways of this world."

I'm afraid I want the good news of Christmas without the challenge.

Mercy is not what we’re about, and I suspect we don’t want our God to be about it, either.

In my Swedish childhood, the signature image of Advent was Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Every valley shall be exalted—but when?