Mt 11:11-15
Jesus said to the crowds:
"Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence,
and the violent are taking it by force.
All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John.
And if you are willing to accept it,
he is Elijah, the one who is to come.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.
"Amen, I say to you,
among those born of women
there has been none greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
From the days of John the Baptist until now,
the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence,
and the violent are taking it by force.
All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John.
And if you are willing to accept it,
he is Elijah, the one who is to come.
Whoever has ears ought to hear.
John the Baptist was sent to "prepare the way of the Lord" or get us ready for Jesus! He was a radical, but so was Jesus! I was driving through town thinking how beautiful all the Christmas lights are and how, if every house was lit up to give glory to God, what a beautiful thing that would be. I just think about outdoor lights as more "stuff" that probably gets in the way of the true meaning of Christmas. But what if those lights on houses and trees are preparing the way of the Lord? What a great statement, as we drive through town, that each house with lights is making a statement: "Jesus is the light of our lives!" How beautiful to see an entire cities FAITH in lights! In our politically correct world, we often keep our faith to ourselves, not wanting to impose it on anyone, but our Christmas lights are our public statement to the world that this is a CHRISTIAN home and we are ready for Jesus to come! And maybe one person on the block wouldn't have lights and would wonder what the lights were all about. Then, in true John the Baptist fashion, we could help get them ready for Jesus to come into their lives. This Advent Season as I drive through town and see the lights, it brings me more joy than ever before. I'm just beaming thinking: "Look at all these Christians! Jesus must be so proud!"
Jesus, thank you for being the light in our lives. Thank you for the way you love us and bless us. Help me to let your light shine to others, so that I may lead others to you like John the Baptist. May my daily actions and conversations all shine the light of your presence and prepare others to meet you. Amen.
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