Sunday, December 12

Luke 3:7-18
“I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming…”
Someone once wrote:

Just as we are beginning to savor the tastes and aromas of holiday cuisine, here comes John the Baptist with his diet of locusts and wild honey. And just when our agenda is shopping and parties, he intrudes with his sermons on sin and repentance. Is he some kind of spoil-sport who wants to throw cold water on our celebration? Is he the Grinch who wants to steal Christmas? Absolutely not, for in reality he is the prophet who saves Christmas and really points to Christmas.

Repentance is one of the great gifts of God to His people. Repentance tells us that with God’s help we can change, turn around, or not stay bound to sins and attitudes that can hurt, break, or destroy ourselves and others. But rather, through repentance we can be restored, forgiven, healed, and renewed so that we can experience the fullness and joy of life for ourselves and those around us!

The powerful proclamation of John the Baptist truly prepares us for the coming of Christ into our lives and points us to the One who said, “I came that they may have life, and have
it abundantly.”

Gracious God, your servant John the Baptist came with a
challenging message, calling for repentance and lives to be transformed as He prepared for the coming of Christ who would truly show us the Way, lead us to truth, and fill us with Life, now and for all eternity. In the name of Jesus we give thanks. Amen.

-Doug and Sheil