Advent 3: The Prayer Book of John the Baptist

By Jan Richardson

Image: Prayer Book of John the Baptist © Jan Richardson

Reading from the Gospels, Advent 3, Year B: John 1.6-8, 19-28

The Prayer Book of John the Baptist

Is written on
locusts’ wings.

Is stained with
wild honey.

Is buckled by
baptismal waters.

Is mostly
pages of wilderness
where prayers are formed
not from what is present
but from what has been
worn away.

Is inscribed
with an ancient path.

Is waiting.

Is falling open
toward the light.

—Jan Richardson


For the 2014 reflection on this passage, click the image or title below:

Testify to the Light
Advent 3: Testify to the Light

For a previous reflection on this passage, click this image or title:


Where I’m From

For a reflection on this Sunday’s reading from Isaiah, visit:


Raising the Ruins

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One Response to “Advent 3: The Prayer Book of John the Baptist”

  1. Esther Le Muire Says:

    it tugs at my heart to stumble upon kindred thoughts and ways..
    sigh–
    thanks for sharing from the fullness within you

    blessings, Esther

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