Advent A Season of Preperation

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
³the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight” ’,
⁴John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵And people from 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. ⁶Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷He 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. ⁸I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

This scripture speaks to us this Advent season. It reminds us that there is a time of preparation before the coming of Christ and that all persons are to make themselves ready to receive Christ once he comes.

The Church, or us who believe in God through Christ are to be the modern day John's preaching to all who will come out to us and hear the good news.
For reflection today ponder these questions.
1) What are the wilderness places in your life? The text says John was in the wilderness.
2) Whom are you crying out to?
3) What message of hope do you have in your heart and what message are you giving to others?
4) Do you have a big head or are you humble like John wanting to be a slave who is unworthy for Jesus?

This Sunday is the second Sunday of Advent, we have much to prepare for, so lets do it reflecting on who God is calling us to be and where God is calling us to go.

Be Well
Pastor J