Matthew 3 - What if John the Baptist replaced Santa this Christmas?
Matthew 3 - What if John the Baptist replaced Santa this Christmas?
Recently I had the privilege of baptizing Brad and Felicity in Gary and Debbie's swimming pool. And apparently Steph was also baptized recently in Mackay along with a number of other teenagers. How great is that! I always love it when people respond to Jesus in this way.
I remember as a teenager seeing people from our Youth group being baptised in a baptismal pool at the front of our Church. It was so strange to me. I watched as people walked down the steps of a small pool at the front of the Church and expressed their faith in Christ. It was the funniest thing I had ever witnessed and I couldn't hold in my laughter, sometimes at inappropriate times in the service. I didn't know then that what I considered to be so funny would become something so vitally important to me, as years later I too was baptised in that same pool. I didn't realise how wonderfully symbolic that act was. It symbolised dying to the old way of life and living to the new way of life, and of expressing my commitment to Christ. Now as a Pastor, I have lost count of all the people I have ever baptized, but what a great honour it has been. Such a simple act, yet such great symbolism of what has taken place on the inside, as you honour the Lord in your life.
In Matthew 3 speaks about John the Baptist and how he prepares the way for Jesus.
At Christmas time we, like John the Baptist of old, prepare the way of the Lord. Our voice is a voice of faith that cries out, sings and confesses that Jesus is Lord in the wilderness of our culture that prefers to honour Santa Claus. I can't help thinking that the real Saint Nicholas would have been totally horrified to see what has become of him.
Imagine if John the Baptist was to become the super Christmas icon that Saint Nicholas has become. Instead of a red suit we would have people in camel's hair and leather belts walking around the shopping centres shouting "Prepare the way of the Lord", and giving out samples of wild locusts and honey for people to try. Instead of children coming to sit on his lap, people would come to confess their sins. Our Christmas gatherings would take place around a swimming pool, and people would be baptised. But no alcohol could be consumed. John was a Tea Totaller, and so Christmas would be alcohol free. Instead of saying "Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas" to those apologising for bringing alcohol, he would probably say, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bring forth fruit in keeping with your repentance;" Not exactly a message that sits well in a culture of overindulgence and extravagance.
I can't say that the pubs, shopping centres and even some Churches would want John the Baptist walking around the streets at Christmas with his message of repentance. But if you think about it, it would actually make for a much more joyful Christmas if people responded to what he had to say!
Imagine a Christmas where you received the gift of eternal life and had your sins forgiven, and real Christmas peace, with God and others, entered into your heart. You would be out there on the streets and in the shopping centres with John shouting "Prepare the way for Jesus this Christmas!" In fact we'll be doing that on the Carols night as we sing songs about Christ, "whose sandals we are not worthy of removing."and seek to prepare the way for Him to give His message of eternal life. YWAMers will be on the streets with their message about Jesus to Schoolies this week. Geoff and the Chaplains will be out in force with Red Frogs this week. Christmas is a time to prepare the way for Jesus, in our own lives and then for others.
God bless you Church as you prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to Christ, and that this Christmas you ask Him for opportunities to prepare the way for Him.
Pastor Ross
Recently I had the privilege of baptizing Brad and Felicity in Gary and Debbie's swimming pool. And apparently Steph was also baptized recently in Mackay along with a number of other teenagers. How great is that! I always love it when people respond to Jesus in this way.
I remember as a teenager seeing people from our Youth group being baptised in a baptismal pool at the front of our Church. It was so strange to me. I watched as people walked down the steps of a small pool at the front of the Church and expressed their faith in Christ. It was the funniest thing I had ever witnessed and I couldn't hold in my laughter, sometimes at inappropriate times in the service. I didn't know then that what I considered to be so funny would become something so vitally important to me, as years later I too was baptised in that same pool. I didn't realise how wonderfully symbolic that act was. It symbolised dying to the old way of life and living to the new way of life, and of expressing my commitment to Christ. Now as a Pastor, I have lost count of all the people I have ever baptized, but what a great honour it has been. Such a simple act, yet such great symbolism of what has taken place on the inside, as you honour the Lord in your life.
In Matthew 3 speaks about John the Baptist and how he prepares the way for Jesus.
At Christmas time we, like John the Baptist of old, prepare the way of the Lord. Our voice is a voice of faith that cries out, sings and confesses that Jesus is Lord in the wilderness of our culture that prefers to honour Santa Claus. I can't help thinking that the real Saint Nicholas would have been totally horrified to see what has become of him.
Imagine if John the Baptist was to become the super Christmas icon that Saint Nicholas has become. Instead of a red suit we would have people in camel's hair and leather belts walking around the shopping centres shouting "Prepare the way of the Lord", and giving out samples of wild locusts and honey for people to try. Instead of children coming to sit on his lap, people would come to confess their sins. Our Christmas gatherings would take place around a swimming pool, and people would be baptised. But no alcohol could be consumed. John was a Tea Totaller, and so Christmas would be alcohol free. Instead of saying "Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas" to those apologising for bringing alcohol, he would probably say, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bring forth fruit in keeping with your repentance;" Not exactly a message that sits well in a culture of overindulgence and extravagance.
I can't say that the pubs, shopping centres and even some Churches would want John the Baptist walking around the streets at Christmas with his message of repentance. But if you think about it, it would actually make for a much more joyful Christmas if people responded to what he had to say!
Imagine a Christmas where you received the gift of eternal life and had your sins forgiven, and real Christmas peace, with God and others, entered into your heart. You would be out there on the streets and in the shopping centres with John shouting "Prepare the way for Jesus this Christmas!" In fact we'll be doing that on the Carols night as we sing songs about Christ, "whose sandals we are not worthy of removing."and seek to prepare the way for Him to give His message of eternal life. YWAMers will be on the streets with their message about Jesus to Schoolies this week. Geoff and the Chaplains will be out in force with Red Frogs this week. Christmas is a time to prepare the way for Jesus, in our own lives and then for others.
God bless you Church as you prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to Christ, and that this Christmas you ask Him for opportunities to prepare the way for Him.
Pastor Ross
