“The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people form the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:1-8
John the Baptist knew his place in God’s story. He was confident of how God had made him and that his role was to prepare the way for the Messiah to come. Christmas is a natural time for story telling. We share tales of Christmases gone by, stories that are old and familiar and of course Bible stories that bring meaning to this season. Each of us has a role in God’s story. John the Baptist knew he was not the Messiah but wanted to prepare things for the Messiah to come. As we wait for Christ to return may we listen to the things he is calling us to do and say and do our part to make preparations that will make the pathway clear.
Action: Think of someone that you can share your story of faith with this Advent season in an effort to “prepare the way” for them to know Christ.
Prayer: O God, we thank you for those you have placed in our lives who were bold enough and loving enough to share their stories of faith with us. In turn, may you open doors for us to share our own faith stories that we might prepare the way for others to come to know you as well. Fill each of us with your Holy Spirit. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.