Prompt: How do you understand the concept of "repentance"? How does that help you understand John the Baptist's role in the Christmas story?
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way”—
“a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’” And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Mark 1:1-4, NIV
Like Jesus, John the Baptist’s birth was a miracle. His mother Elizabeth was elderly, far beyond her childbearing years. John was filled with the Holy Spirit while still in the womb, chosen by God to be the forerunner that would announce the coming of the true Messiah.
John proclaimed “Prepare ye the way of the Lord” (Mark 1:3). He preached a gospel of repentance – he wanted his listeners to renounce sin, wash away impurities and be in a state of grace for the arrival of Jesus Christ.
This Advent, we should also renounce sin and be in a state of grace for the coming of the feast of Christmas. John placed Jesus ahead of all other things and this Advent season, so should we.
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