A Sturdy Foundation for the Home of God
In the wilderness, a voice cries out: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” (Luke 3:4). John the Baptist's call echoes through time, inviting us to prepare not just roads but the very foundations of our hearts and lives to welcome God’s presence. As we continue this Advent journey, the imagery of home—our sanctuary, our resting place—reminds us of the importance of a sturdy foundation.
Homes are not built haphazardly; they require planning, care, and preparation. Before walls rise or roofs take shape, the foundation must be laid, solid and secure. Without it, even the most beautiful home will crumble. Similarly, the in-breaking of Christ into the world was not spontaneous or unplanned. The Creator, with infinite love and intention, prepared the world for this sacred arrival long before the birth in Bethlehem.
God, the Divine Architect
The prophet Isaiah spoke of valleys lifted and mountains brought low, rough places smoothed into level ground. These words describe not just physical preparation but the reshaping of human hearts, systems, and hopes to make way for God’s reign. From the moment humanity faltered, the foundation for redemption was already being laid. Covenants were formed, promises spoken, and prophets sent to proclaim that the Holy One would dwell among us.
Saint Andrew of Crete beautifully expressed this divine preparation, saying:
“Receive him with open, outstretched hands, for it was on his own hands that he sketched you. Receive him who laid your foundations on the palms of his hands. Receive him, for he took upon himself all that belongs to us except sin, to consume what is ours in what is his.”
We are not self-made structures; we are God’s handiwork. Our foundation, formed on the very palms of God’s hands, reflects the depth of God’s care for us. The One who created us now prepares to dwell with us, not as a distant ruler but as Emmanuel—God with us.
Preparing Our Foundations
Advent invites us to examine our foundations. Are they secure, or have they been eroded by fear, distraction, or despair? Preparing the way for Christ means tending to what supports us, shoring up the ground beneath our faith, and clearing the debris that keeps us from experiencing God’s presence fully.
This preparation is not a solitary act. Just as builders work together to lay a foundation, we are called to community. We prepare the way for others by offering compassion, creating spaces of sanctuary, and leveling the rough places in our shared world. When we widen the path to include the marginalized, the hurting, and the lost, we reflect the home God is building among us.
The Home of God Built on Love
As we light the Advent candles and prepare for Christ’s coming, may we trust in the Divine Architect who has laid the foundation of love, justice, and mercy. God’s careful preparation assures us that the house of faith we inhabit will not fail, no matter how strong the winds of the world may blow.
This Advent, let us take up the invitation to receive Christ, not as a guest but as the cornerstone of our lives. May we, like Saint Andrew of Crete, recognize the profound gift of the One who holds us in sacred hands and prepares us to be the dwelling place of divine love.
“And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
May this be our hope, our foundation, and our joy.
