Jesus's Parents

The Gospel reading for this Sunday is Luke 1:26-38 where the Angel Gabriel visits Mary to tell her she will "conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus"(Luke 1:31 NASB) . She is taken aback but eventually says : "may it be done to me according to your word"(Luke 1:38 NASB).

A young girl visited by an Angel & she submits to God's will.

Joseph also had to bear the possible shame of marrying a non-virgin & raise a child not his own. He did it, think of the enormity of the responsibility of raising the Messiah, "Son of the Most High; and the Lord God" (Luke 1:32 NASB).

He was a blue collar worker, a simple carpenter. He had no special abilities or training yet he did it!

So can we do what God wants us to do, he will not give us more than we can handle. "To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability"(Matt 25:15 NASB)

Would John be welcome?

Would John the Baptist be welcome in our churches today? 

"John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and his diet was locusts and wild honey"

"John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." (Mark 1 NASB)

Here is a very strange person, unconventional, outspoken.  Telling us to repent, do we have time for this?

Advent is the time! As we prepare for the true meaning of Christmas, it is not the gifts or the Christmas (Winter Festival) trees.  It is the birth of a Savior.  

As we prepare, it is time to welcome all as we :'MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD,

MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.'"(Mark 1 NASB, Isaiah 40:3).

Let us welcome ALL even the John the Baptist types!

Happy New Year!

Advent starts the Church year.  This year the gospel readings come mainly from Mark with a few John lessons thrown in.

So HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!