Dec. 08, 2024

The Promised One is Coming!

Luke 3:7-18

When many people talk about preparing for the holidays, it usually means shopping for presents, baking, planning parties and putting up the decorations.  No wonder people get so stressed around the holidays. In the life of the church, we have some preparation to do. I’m not referring to putting up the Christmas tree and decorating. In our worship life, we prepare for our Lord’s coming among us. Today we hear the call of John the Baptist to “Prepare the way of the Lord!” John was calling the people to repent, to turn from their evil and apathetic ways, and to seek God’s will for their lives. Prepare the way of the Lord, John says. Prepare! John tells us it involves a change of heart, a new perspective. John challenged the people to let go, to free their hearts and their lives from those things that weigh them down. The ‘secret to God’s kingdom’ lies in rejoicing in all circumstances.” John’s encouragement is that we live an attitude of gratitude, giving thanks for all things, even when we can’t always see the hidden blessings. The image is one of good news. John the Baptist’s promise is the Prophet’s promise, that “The days are surely coming…” when we all will be pure, whole, wheat, free from the chaff in our lives. What a day that will be. Truly this is good news! The coming of the Savior will change everything. So, are you prepared for Christmas?

Questions:

1.    What Christmas preparations are sometimes overwhelming?

2.    Why was John’s call “to prepare” so important?

3.     What was the good news that John was pointing out to us?