On Dec. 15, Pastor Katy preaches on Matthew 11:2-11.

2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 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. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written,

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

As we continue our journey through Advent toward the birth of the Christ child, we watch and wait. From the wilderness John points and grants grace in the “in between.” We fast forward only a bit and find John in prison with a very different tone. From his cage, the darkest place in his life thus far, John begins to question. As we approach the Winter solstice, the darkest night of the year, we join John in wrestling in the dark, and we learn to sing.