By Fr Gerard Garrigan.

What shall we do, what must be done?
The people asked that wild John.
He said that if you had two coats
Give one to him who has not one.

And if you have more food to eat
Than you could ever, ever need
To share that too with those who lack
For food or clothing, home or heat.

John told the tax collectors please
Do not cheat others so you might
Go line your pockets to the full
And may your greed completely cease.

He said he came not to proclaim
That everyone should follow him
But one who came true Son of God
Who came to save and heal the lame.

He said one day we do not know
The Lord would sort the bad from good
And if we wish to join the saved
Our mercy now must freely flow.

Prepare the way today, today.
Make straight, make straight your twisted path
For Him who comes and will come soon.
Make straight, make straight your crooked way.

Now, John spoke not just to those ones
Who heard him many years ago.
He speaks to you, he speaks to me
To all God’s daughters and God’s sons.

And so in this our Advent time
Let’s hear the call of John to us
To share our plenty with the poor
To comfort, serve and to be kind.

And how should we respond to John
To straighten out our twisted paths
So that the Christ child when He comes
Might find our hearts full open, calm?

The answer’s simple and it’s clear.
We need to flee the rush, the noise
And all the vanities around
To close the door and give the Lord

Our time, our hearts in quiet prayer
Each day in this most holy time
Of Advent, waiting silently
For Him who came our sins to bear.