PREPARE THE WAY

Scripture Lesson: Luke 3:1-6 Object:

A  microphone

Boys and girls, Suppose I came out here each Sunday morning and pretended I was a radio announcer. (Using microphone as an announcer) "Ladies and gentlemen. I want to welcome to you this morning's worship service here at the ___________ Church. We have a realllllly big service lined up for you today. We have our fabulous choir singing______________.  We also have with us...(Here you might mention in a humorous way some of the "performers"--eg. the organinist, ushers, etc.--in the service)." How would you like for me to begin the worship service each Sunday like that? It would add some excitement to our service, wouldn't it?

There was no radio or television 2,000 years ago when Jesus lived and taught. Jesus did have an announcer, though. His name was John the Baptist. John was a great preacher who announced to the people that there was One coming after him who was far greater than he.

"Prepare ye the way of the Lord," said John the Baptist. Who was this Lord who was coming? It
was Jesus, of course. Jesus had another "announcers." Isaiah and Malachi and others of the prophets hundreds of years before Jesus' birth told the people that God would send a special
chosen one. That one was Jesus.

That means that the baby lying in a manger of Bethlehem was the most special baby ever born. That is why in a couple of weeks we will be celebrating his birth. What day will that be? That's right, Christmas. So, let me pretend to be John the Baptist for a moment (using the microphone): "Ladies and gentlemen, prepare ye the way of the Lord. Let's all get ready to celebrate the birth of the Christ."

Holy God, as Jesus' birthday is about to come we are caught up in the excitement of the season.  However, we have not forgotten that the real reason for Christmas is to celebrate His birthday.  So this daywe say  "Happy Birthday Jesus".   Amen