"Behold," said God, "I'm sending one
who shall prepare my way.
My messenger will make me known,
But who can bear that day?"

For when he comes, old ways will die;
We'll change what we have been.
Like fire or soap he'll purify
And cleanse us from our sin.

We wonder, Lord: what needs to change?
What sins do we hold dear?
What values should we rearrange?
What judgments should we hear?

May we be open to the ways
You cleanse and make us new;
And may we in these Advent days
Be glad to welcome you.