THEOLOGICAL CLUE

The liturgical/homiletical purpose of this Sunday is to deal with a question that is fundamental to the incarnation, Jesus' identity as the Messiah, who has come to God's people and who will come again. The focus of the gospel shows how Jesus' word and works identified him as the Messiah, the incarnate Word, giving a better understanding of the incarnation as it was revealed in his life and ministry to the church that is about to celebrate his birth. The Gospel also points to John the Baptizer as the forerunner of Christ, who prepares the way of the Lord, and is also a model of godly service and witness for all believers.

The lessons for this Sunday make it a Sunday of transition between the first two Sundays in Advent, which are oriented to the Second Coming, and the Fo…