Preparing the Way for Christmas
December 14, 2014
Mark 1:1-8
Mark’s Gospel is the only Gospel without a description of the traditional Christmas story. However, Mark’s Gospel still shares a story about the birth of Jesus Christ. The point of view is from the messenger who tells people that someone special is coming to town. The opening starts with a prophecy from Malachi and Isaiah about the role of John the Baptist. The Old Testament predicted that a messenger would come to prepare the way for Jesus.
Advent is a time of waiting and preparing for Christmas. God predicted that He would send a messenger. The purpose of a messenger was to announce that the king was coming to town. Instead of Santa Claus, Jesus was coming to town. He was to be born.
John the Baptist saw himself as a messenger prepared to tell others that Jesus is coming. He took time to share the fact that God was sending Someone (Mark 1:7) who was more powerful than himself. While John baptized people, they still had to confess their sins (Mark 1:5). Jesus, on the other hand, would have the power to actually forgive sins. John baptized with water, but Jesus would immerse people on the inside with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8).
You and I are called to be messengers for our world. We are called to prepare the way for Christmas for people who need to see Jesus.
Question: How have I prepared other people for the Christmas season? How have I shared the message of Jesus to others this Christmas season?
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