I doubt many people (if any) have a St. John the Baptist ornament for their Christmas tree. But maybe we should. If the point of Christmas is to devote our attention to the Christ who came to save us, could there be a better voice to hear than that of the Baptizer? But, then again, it is important that we listen to ALL of what John preaches. John was unyielding in His devotion to proclaiming the Christ which included “laying low the high mountains and raising up the sunken valleys”. As we consider the birth of our Savior again and rejoice in One who was once a mere baby in the manger at Bethlehem, let us not forget why He came and what remains – His final coming. As we sit around the Christmas table, let our conversation be filled with Christ, urging all away from sin and toward faith in the Lord who has saved us and is returning. Like John and Jesus, we will not be well-received by all. Some, even those closest to us, will end up hating us for teaching the truth. But more important that they are warned and pointed to the Christ than that they love us and are not offended by us. Let us gather around the table of our Father and share in the heavenly conversation of John, Jesus, Moses, Elijah and all the saints who speak to us of Christ and urge us on to the last day that we may receive our Lord with joy when He comes. I look forward to seeing you all this coming Lord’s Day.
Pastor Ulmer
