Invitation and Preparation
O God, make speed to save us
O Lord, make haste to help us
(Silence)
Let us pray:
Blessed are you, sovereign Lord, just and true: to you be praise and glory for ever. Your prophet John the Baptist was witness to the truth as a burning and shining light. May we your servants rejoice in his light, and so be led to witness to him who is the Lord of our coming kingdom, Jesus our Savior and King of the ages. Amen.
Listen and Receive
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
John 1:29-34
May the Word of God rest gently on our hearts, that when our hearts break the Word of God may flow in.
(Silence)
Reflect and Respond
John the Baptist, the one sent to prepare the way for the Lord, sees Jesus and recognizes Him. In a moment of clarity, John knows his purpose and sees it fulfilled, and John has a story to tell, “I have seen it with my own eyes and now I want you to know as well. This Jesus who stands among you is the Son of God. He is the one who comes to baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
What pure joy we have when Jesus is revealed to us. What clarity we find in His light. What comfort when we hear Him call us his beloved. What peace we have in the Holy Spirit. What a story we have to tell.
I wonder, what story are you telling? What have you seen? Who do you want to tell about the Son of God?
Blessed and Sent
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
In this season of light, may your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.