Gospel LK 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, 
when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, 
and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee,
and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region
of Ituraea and Trachonitis, 
and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, 
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, 
the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.
John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, 
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 
as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled
and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Words

Prophet | Preach | Prepare | Path| Practice 

Lesson

John was a prophet and his message was simple:

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths  ….
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Who here likes to prepare for things? Sometimes its fun, right – we are waiting for something in anticipation of something great. 

Sometimes it is a lot of work to prepare for things. Do any of you prepare for tests?  You have to study hard, because you want to get a good grade. It can take a lot of work.

Do any of you practice for sports?  This is a different type of preparation. But again, it is something you work hard at because you want to be great.

During this time of the year, ballet companies are performing the Nutcracker. The dancers in the Nutcracker practice over and over to get their performance perfect.

What are we preparing for right now in Advent?

Christmas!  The birth of our savior!

But what do we have to do to prepare for Christmas?  Well, we have to buy presents, make meals, set up the tree, put up lights, ornaments, set up the nativity scene….boy, those are a lot of paths that need to be made straight! There are a lot of items to prepare.

The goal is that you want to make things just right. 

But I want you to think of the preparation for Christmas in a different light. Instead of trying to prepare for things in a material way, I want you to practice being like Christ. Instead of working to make things just right, in preparation for Santa Claus.  Instead prepare to make things just right for the Christ child.  

• Practice kindness.
• Practice humility.
• Practice love.
• Practice following Christ’s path.

Because when we do, we are helping to bring Christ’s kingdom to the world..

Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Just like John, Christ’s herald and prophet.

Think about the things you love to do in life or things you have to do to be successful. Who here has homework for school?  Why do you do it? Because we care about  it.

Prepare for  the coming of the Messiah.  Practice His ways.