Just before the final day of Christmas, we are reminded of the type of people God uses to get the attention of wanderers: They are not highly polished motivational speakers. Not charismatic and smooth-talking. Every publicists nightmare. God uses solitary nomad-types without a shred of personal ambition so when they speak, they are not dazzled or distracted by the messengers. No need for John and Elijah to preface their message with "fear not." They don't inspire fear.
But when we look at them, truly seeing the men they choose to be, the path they choose to walk, we can only follow the Light in their lives right back up to the Father of Lights. Then we listen to unpolished, simple, servant men. And know that God is God.
Christmas, day 11. Elijah and John
Is 40: 3 A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.”
desert wind howling through vowels
of two sand-encrusted voices
desiccated by the sun
frosted by the moon
in a light-shattered dusk
two dusty voices
rasped hoarse
by months without speech
on a riverback
where multitudes strain to hear:
“are you Elijah?”
“Of course not. I’m John.”
“but Malachi said—“
“Isaiah promised—“
a voice, wild and lone
two voices, centuries apart
mingled as one
in the barren wilds
turn back
make straight:
the hearts of stone must break
to feed on broken bread
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