SUNDAY SERVICE

On the second Sunday of Advent, we dwell on the story of John the Baptist.  He preached his whole life that Jesus was coming and that you should prepare yourself.  He promoted baptism as the vehicle to forgive sins and prepare for the future.  Jesus, himself, allowed John to baptize him and thereby passed on the message that all should be baptized.

The story of John the Baptist begins as Jesus own story begins.  Mary, Jesus mother, had an elderly cousin, Elizabeth.  Elizabeth and her husband Zacharias had hoped for a son for many years without success. Elizabeth was now far beyond her childbearing years when she became pregnant.  The whole family was exstatic.  Mary decided to make the 100 mile journey on the back of a donkey to see her relative.  Just before she left, Mary was told that she would also have a child.

When Mary and Joseph arrived at Zacharias' house, Elizabeth said she felt the baby in her womb jump for joy.   She uttered the words to Mary, "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb."  

The child of Elizabeth was named John and he became known as The Baptist.  Prepare yourself for His coming!
o.o