Prepare

 Matthew 3: 1-12 v 8 “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.”

John the Baptist began preaching in the wilderness. The prophet Isaiah was speaking about John when he said” He is a voice shouting in the wilderness.” For food he ate locusts and wild honey. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan river. But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire. Someone is coming who is greater than I. He will baptize you with fire. Then he will clean up the threshing area and gather the wheat into his barn.

As we prepare for family gatherings, for travel, for the celebration of Christ’s birth, we are reminded of the simple lives of great influencers like John the Baptist. Compared to devout religious leaders of the time who were deeply concerned about the intricacies of the laws in the Old Testament he asked them to prove by the way they live that they have turned to God. So, at this time think about how you are living each day as you prepare for your Christmas celebrations. Are you producing good fruit for God? Reflect each day on how you can do better as you remember that you have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Prayer: Heavenly Father we thank you for the reminder to prove by the way that we live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God as you prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Amen.