Read Luke Chapter 3 (you can use a Bible you have, or follow the link)

What do Winnie the Pooh and John the Baptist have in common? (They share the same middle name!). More seriously… and this is serious stuff… John the Baptist was preaching a way of repentance. He was preparing the way for one greater than himself. I once heard someone say that John gives us the gospel in black and white, while Jesus gave us the full colour version! In John we see the the call for justice for the poorest in society. ‘Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none’. And the tax collectors who came to John were told not to collect any more than required. (We’ll come back to that on day 19 when we meet Zacchaeus the wee tax collector.)

Jesus himself was baptised by John – his Mum’s cousin’s son… so his second cousin. Now at around thirty years old, his baptism marks the beginning of his ministry.

His lineage through his earthly father, Joseph is traced from verse 24… back to King David, back to Abraham… back to Adam… reminding us that Jesus ministry is for all creation, all nations, all people.

May this Advent journey continue to bless, inspire and encourage you…

With love, truth and light…

Donald.