Advent Dawn

 Out of God's deepest mercy
 a dawn will come from on high,
 light for those shadowed by death,
 a guide for our feet on the way to peace.
(Luke 1:78-79)
Next Sunday's Gospel is Matthew 3:1-12.  As soon as Matthew finishes his stories of the infancy of Jesus, he jumps to the baptism of John.  The first words we hear from the Baptist are "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."  Throughout his Gospel Matthew has "kingdom of heaven" rather than "kingdom of God," which is used by Mark and Luke.  He's not referring to heaven; he is using "heaven" as a substitute for "God." John is telling us that God's reign is at hand, so we have to change our way of  thinking, do things differently.  As individuals and as a community, we will allow God to rule us.  This reign develops gradually.
Most of the people sincerely answer John's call.  But when he sees the Pharisees and Sadducees coming he rebukes them harshly.  Outward religious practices are worthless if they don't reflect an inward change.  This is a warning to us as well to make sure that our preparation for the coming of Christ involves a genuine change of heart.