The emphasis throughout the Advent season is typically about God’s gift to us—“of the Father’s love begotten”—Jesus, the gift of God’s love. Also, the ministry of Jesus—His gifts to us: to us who think we have everything are to us when we think we have nothing.

Our theme hymn today forces another focus. The question is not “what is God’s Christmas gift to us?” Instead, what is our gift to God? What does Christ want from us? It isn’t that our Scripture asks the question. The meaning of the word preach is “proclaim like a herald,” or like a medieval town crier, with a loud voice, clearly and plainly delivering a message. The prophet Isaiah is doing just that: “Oh! Everyone who thirsts come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without mone…