23 December 2022

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
Malachi 3:1-4, NRSV

As we approach the celebration of Christmas, it may seem strange to hear threatening words about purification and judgement. Malachi’s prophecy goes on to warn that the coming Messiah will bring challenge; he will be like the refiner’s fire and the fuller’s alkali. In the refiner’s fire, metal was heated very intensely in order to bring precious metals to light. The fuller’s alkali was a harsh treatment given to new cloth to clean and bleach it. This prophecy was first made to warn the Jewish people of the need to repent and change in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. The prophecy also applies those who choose to follow Christ – we also must expect to be changed and to have our faults exposed so that they can be cleansed and we can be reformed.

• • Why does the prophet ask, “Who can endure the day of his coming? “
  • What is your experience of allowing yourself to be changed or reformed?

Spend some time reflecting on the faults/sins that prevent you from living as fully as God wants. Be open to any prompting about what you can do to bring about change.