The Beginning of the Good News!

THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL: Mark 1: 1-8 (MESSAGE)

The good news of Jesus Christ—the Message!—begins here, following to the letter the scroll of the prophet Isaiah.  Watch closely: I'm sending my preacher ahead of you; He'll make the road smooth for you. Thunder in the desert!  Prepare for God's arrival! Make the road smooth and straight!

 

John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins. People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life. John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey.

As he preached he said, "The real action comes next: The star in this drama, to whom I'm a mere stagehand, will change your life. I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. His baptism—a holy baptism by the Holy Spirit—will change you from the inside out."

The good news of Jesus Christ begins here.  What a statement!  What a wonderful season to begin again! 

Our Advent preparation is all about noticing where God is present in our lives and choosing in those moments and places how we will begin to live differently – in expectation, anticipation, and hope.

What in your life do you need to let go of in order to begin again?  What do you need to take on in order to recognize God’s presence and love in your life?  Where do you find hope these days?  Where is your joy?

Our lesson for Sunday reminds us that this is only a beginning, a new start.  How will you begin?

Join us this Sunday, December 4 at 10:00a.m. in Christ Church as we make room in our lives for God and begin to think differently about the gifts we give. Our unique worship service will call all us to a new beginning and will explore the opportunities of the Alternative Gift Market where we can purchase gifts that help our brothers and sisters all over the world. These gifts are great for everyone. This Sunday we will experience what it is like to truly begin again!  Hope to see you there.