Saturday, December 20, 2014
Advent Reflections
Diocese of Newark


Thank you for continuing to journey with us through the season of Advent.  You are now journeying together with  over 700 people.  Today we present the Gospel, in hopeful anticipation as we come  together in reflection and prayer with our home congregations,  that we may all  join our voices in praise as we await the joyful coming.

Scripture 


 

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, added to them all by shutting up John in prison.
 

 

Luke 3:15-20 
  
Reflection
  
As John is baptizing people with water, he is also proclaiming the Good News of the One who will come after him to baptize people with the Holy Spirit.  People are excited and filled with expectation.  It makes me think about the fact that I am baptized with that same Holy Spirit.  God has placed me on this earth to help fulfill this promise.  How am I doing that?  How can I do it better or rather do MORE of it?  I am going to be intentional about taking/making time to think about my gifts and what I can do to encourage, support and equip others.
  
Prayer

 

 Gracious God, you sent John the Baptist to point the way and lead many to faith.  Use me accordingly to your will to share the faith that is in me and give glory to your holy name.  Amen.

 

from Book of Faith, Advent Reflections: You Shall Have a Song

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