Dear all,

I hope and pray that this letter finds you well, as our Advent journey continues.  I do not know if you have ever played that game whereby you consider who you would invite to be your dinner guests.  You can choose from anyone in history dead or alive.  Perhaps a former prime minister or president, a sports star, celebrity, or actor?  How easy would you find this exercise?  Would you choose any characters from the Bible?  You cannot choose Jesus though!  One of the most fascinating characters of the Bible I think is John the Baptist, and certainly one of the dinner guests I would invite.  The reading from last week in Mark was truly inspirational but this week’s reading comes amongst one of the greatest passages from the entire Bible. 

John 1 is traditionally read at carol services and is considered John’s version of the creation narrative.  This week we look at verses 6-9 and 19-28 which relate specifically to John the Baptist.  However, I strongly recommend you sit down in a comfy chair and read chapter one in its entirety.  I did not fully appreciate this chapter until I was training for the ministry and had to study this passage as part of my Greek classes.  It was only then that the full impact and power of this chapter hit me.  The language and tone are incredible and quite overwhelming if you stop to think and ponder over the words.  The chapter is a real treat and I believe one of the greatest of all scripture. 

This week we consider John the Baptist again.  John, the gospel author, makes it clear that John the Baptist was sent by God and he came as a witness to testify to the light.  This is in order that people might hear the testimony and believe in Jesus Christ.  John is not the light but a witness to the light.  The trouble was that people began to witness the ministry of John the Baptist but become confused as to who he was.  Some thought that he was Elijah, others the Messiah.  John made it clear that he was neither of these people.  We then hear the same proclamation in John which was recorded in Mark echoing the prophet Isaiah. 

Again, we hear those truly inspirational words: ‘I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’’ I found these words so powerful and moving, telling us all that the great one to come is going to change the world and be like none other.  I often think that we underestimate the ministry of John the Baptist and just how revolutionary he was.  His ministry ushered in Jesus, who transformed the world both with His sacrifice and affect just about every aspect of life from how we record time to our view of God and eternity.  John also exhorted his listeners to a life of repentance and holiness, a challenge which is as relevant today as it was then.  Let us heed his call and take it seriously. 

May our Lord Jesus Christ, the One True Light, bless us now and always,