by Roberta Ede
Mark 1:1-8
1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Whenever I read Mark, starting at the first verse, I get a chill and then a big smile on my face. What could be more wonderful than to read those words, “The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the son of God “. Then to be followed by, “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.Of course, there is so much more in the following verses regarding John the Baptist.
To me, I did not realize the true meaning of Advent until I was in my later years. As a young mother and wife, Advent was a preparation time, but probably not like the Bible meant it to be. I was busy with all the “trappings” of a commercial Christmas. It wasn’t until later in my life that I found the peace and excitement that only the coming of Jesus could give us.John the Baptist came baptizing and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.Advent helps us to prepare ourselves for the greatest present we could possibly imagine! The coming of our Lord! But not with the fanfare of a commercial Christmas, but with humble and peaceful preparation for our Lord.As we observe the Advent season, let us fully feel the wonder of the “Coming of the Lord.”