Why a "John the Baptist" Christmas?

As the narrator in this year’s children’s Christmas program (December 14th – 11:15am) will say: “This is NOT a tale about John the Baptist, but a tale that John tells.” In other words, John the Baptizer plays a key supporting role in the real life drama of Christmas. He is the one sent: “to prepare the way.” Granted he’s not listed as a key player in Luke 2, along with the unnamed innkeeper or shepherds or choir of angels, but as Luke 1 shows, he is forever linked with Christ being with us (aka Christmas). As we explore what the readings that mention him in these days surrounding December 24th/25th, we can better understand why this is true.

These devotions are not meant to be an exhaustive study of the various Bible readings, but instead are devotional thoughts that hit me as I spend time meditating on each of the readings.

Week one: The Messenger
Prayer for Week One: Lord, as I/we prepare for Christmas this year, we thank you for the messages of hope, peace and love that we have received. Thank You for the angel Gabriel’s message to Zechariah and Mary. Thank You for the message of the angels spoken to the shepherds to direct them to Your manger bed. Thank you for the message John the Baptizer spoke to point others to You. May we share this message of Good News to those You place around us. Amen.