“As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,”‘” (Mark 1:2-3)

The prelude to the ministry of Jesus was a messenger who would prepare God’s chosen people for His work of salvation: John the Baptist. His mission was to announce that the long-promised Messiah was about to appear.John was called to prepare the people of Israel to meet Him. These people needed to repent and be baptized as a sign of their repentance for the Messiah was coming to judge sin and wickedness. Redemption would come in Jesus Himself who took upon Himself the judgment of God. All those who by faith accepted Christ’s sacrifice as  behalf would find mercy and eternal life. Yet that same sacrifice would fall as condemnation upon all those who rejected the Messenger, the message, and the Messiah.

Today the situation is much the same. Billions of people walk in darkness, enslaved by sin and demonically inspired false religions and philosophies now promulgated by the world web. Today we need a messenger like John to call these lost souls to the light, to repent and believe in Jesus. Today this Messenger is not one person, but the Church of Jesus Christ. We are called to prepare people for Him. Jesus Messiah is coming again, but this time His judgment will fall upon and condemn those who reject the Messenger and the message of the gospel. They reject Jesus Himself, which they do to their destruction. They must be warned.

So as we approach the feast of Christmas, we the Church need to have our priorities straight especially as we face the chaos that is engulfing our world. The thoughts of many these days will be on materialism, gifts, over-indulging on food and sweets, Santa Claus, toys, and children rather than on Jesus and why He came into the world, let alone His soon return. We Christians, however, are called to have our eyes and hearts on Jesus, the Savior of all mankind. As we celebrate His birth we are reminded that He is our redeemer and King. We are His servants. He calls us to preach His gospel of faith, repentance, and mercy to all.