James Barnett John The Baptist

Series: CHRISTMAS 2014

Speaker: Steve Jeffrey

Date: 13th December 2014

00:00:00 --> 00:00:06 Good morning, everyone. My name is James. Is anyone feeling prepared for Christmas?
00:00:08 --> 00:00:16 I hear some concerned noises. Well, what do you have to do to get ready? Do you still have to
00:00:16 --> 00:00:20 buy presents, prepare the food, put the decorations up, maybe buy a Christmas tree?
00:00:20 --> 00:00:30 We moved house a week ago, and yesterday we bought our first real Christmas tree. And I tell you what,
00:00:30 --> 00:00:36 it smells amazing. We set up the decorations, and Isaac kept putting them on and then taking them
00:00:36 --> 00:00:42 off, and he just didn't get the idea of it. But, you know, I feel like to really be prepared for
00:00:42 --> 00:00:47 Christmas, I still need a Christmas ham. I still need to get a ham. I see at least one person nodding.
00:00:47 --> 00:00:53 That is really good. What is it for you that makes you feel like you could say, yes,
00:00:54 --> 00:01:01 I'm prepared for Christmas? What about the Christ side of Christmas?
00:01:02 --> 00:01:08 Is there anything you do to prepare yourself to celebrate God sending his eternal son?
00:01:09 --> 00:01:16 Or does this just get lost in the busyness of the season? Over the next two weeks,
00:01:16 --> 00:01:23 we're going to consider what God did to prepare for that very first Christmas. Because it was a very
00:01:23 --> 00:01:28 well-prepared event, very long in coming. And we're going to consider what we should be doing
00:01:28 --> 00:01:36 to prepare for Christmas next week, in just 11 days. I hope that doesn't scare you too much.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:43 It does, good. Please open your Bibles, or keep them open with me, to Luke chapter 1.
00:01:43 --> 00:01:52 In Luke's account of the gospel, he doesn't start off his narrative with Jesus, the main character.
00:01:52 --> 00:02:01 He starts off with two fairly ordinary people, Zechariah and Elizabeth. Zechariah and Elizabeth
00:02:01 --> 00:02:08 were both descendants of Aaron. He was the priest who helped Moses. But there's a problem.
00:02:08 --> 00:02:11 Have a look with me at verse 6.
00:02:13 --> 00:02:18 Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations
00:02:18 --> 00:02:25 blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well
00:02:25 --> 00:02:31 along in years. You know, immediately this makes me think of other notable characters in the Bible,
00:02:31 --> 00:02:36 particularly the Old Testament, who were barren. Abraham and Sarah, who eventually had Isaac.
00:02:38 --> 00:02:43 You know, Hannah, she really wanted a child, and she promised God that if she had a son,
00:02:43 --> 00:02:49 she would give him to the Lord. And that's Samuel. And we can think, something great is going to happen.
00:02:49 --> 00:02:52 You know, we've got this problem. What's God going to do to fix it?
00:02:52 --> 00:02:58 But at this point, we should note that Elizabeth, a little later on, describes it,
00:02:59 --> 00:03:03 she describes her barrenness as a disgrace among the people.
00:03:05 --> 00:03:11 Deuteronomy 28 says that one of the repercussions of not following the Lord's commands
00:03:11 --> 00:03:14 is that the fruit of your womb would be cursed.
00:03:14 --> 00:03:22 And you can imagine that when people saw old Elizabeth, you know, slowly wandering down the
00:03:22 --> 00:03:27 street to the market, you know, they would have given her a sideways look, saying, you know,
00:03:27 --> 00:03:31 what has she done to earn such disgrace from God?
00:03:33 --> 00:03:38 Even now, although children are not as common in marriage, you know, people still ask the question,
00:03:38 --> 00:03:42 you know, you guys have been married for a couple of years, when are you going to have kids?
00:03:42 --> 00:03:49 And if people are struggling with infertility, it is very difficult to talk about.
00:03:51 --> 00:03:56 Elizabeth and Zechariah's pain and shame at this point is very real.
00:03:57 --> 00:04:01 And since she's old, there is no end in sight for her.
00:04:02 --> 00:04:05 So what is God going to do into this situation?
00:04:05 --> 00:04:14 The author Luke then tells us about a time when Zechariah was doing his priestly service in the temple.
00:04:14 --> 00:04:16 This is the temple in Jerusalem.
00:04:17 --> 00:04:21 And it was his group of priests turn to go and serve at the temple.
00:04:21 --> 00:04:25 And someone would be chosen to go and burn incense.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:29 And Zechariah just happens to get chosen by random.
00:04:29 --> 00:04:34 And this would have been a very special honor for Zechariah.
00:04:34 --> 00:04:37 You know, some priests would just never get the chance to do this.
00:04:37 --> 00:04:40 And he's going to the most holy place.
00:04:41 --> 00:04:45 The most holy place to offer incense to where God was said to dwell.
00:04:46 --> 00:04:49 You know, you can imagine this old priest as he's walking through,
00:04:50 --> 00:04:52 trying to remember every image of the temple.
00:04:53 --> 00:04:57 He's read the description in the Bible, but he's just trying to remember every part.
00:04:57 --> 00:05:01 It would be like the biggest cricket fan in the world.
00:05:02 --> 00:05:04 Not me, but, you know, I'd love to do this.
00:05:04 --> 00:05:06 You know, going to the home of cricket, Lords,
00:05:07 --> 00:05:10 and being able to walk out onto the turf and touch the grass and be like,
00:05:10 --> 00:05:13 ah, so many cricket players have played here, this is amazing.
00:05:13 --> 00:05:20 Or, you know, a massive guitar fan or a music fan being able to hold one of Jimi Hendrix's guitars
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 and maybe even being able to play it.
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 It's just very special.
00:05:25 --> 00:05:29 You know, for cricket and, you know, guitar, this is almost religious.
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 For Zechariah, it was very religious.
00:05:32 --> 00:05:34 But it's a very special event.
00:05:35 --> 00:05:37 He's been a priest all his life.
00:05:38 --> 00:05:42 And now he gets to go to the most important place for Judaism.
00:05:42 --> 00:05:45 The place where sin was atoned for before God.
00:05:45 --> 00:05:50 And what happens in the temple is almost comedic.
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 It's designed to make you laugh.
00:05:53 --> 00:05:54 Have a look.
00:05:56 --> 00:05:57 He walks in.
00:05:57 --> 00:05:58 He's there to offer incense.
00:05:59 --> 00:06:03 And then, bam, out of nowhere, there's an angel standing right there.
00:06:04 --> 00:06:07 Just, it'd be like me walking up here and then just an angel appearing right here.
00:06:08 --> 00:06:09 And he's startled.
00:06:09 --> 00:06:12 He probably nearly drops the incense he's come to offer.
00:06:12 --> 00:06:14 And the angel speaks to him.
00:06:15 --> 00:06:17 Have a look at verse 13.
00:06:17 --> 00:06:18 Let's see what he says.
00:06:20 --> 00:06:21 Do not be afraid, Zechariah.
00:06:22 --> 00:06:23 Your prayer has been heard.
00:06:24 --> 00:06:26 Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son.
00:06:27 --> 00:06:29 And you are to give him the name John.
00:06:30 --> 00:06:31 Then down in verse 17.
00:06:31 --> 00:06:36 And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah.
00:06:37 --> 00:06:40 To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children.
00:06:40 --> 00:06:42 And the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous.
00:06:43 --> 00:06:47 To make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
00:06:49 --> 00:06:53 The angel promises a son who will be like the prophet Elijah.
00:06:53 --> 00:06:56 Who will prepare people for the Lord.
00:06:57 --> 00:07:00 This is really significant for at least three reasons.
00:07:00 --> 00:07:05 First of all, an old man and an old woman are going to have a child.
00:07:05 --> 00:07:07 This is miraculous.
00:07:07 --> 00:07:09 God is working miracles again.
00:07:10 --> 00:07:13 Secondly, there's going to be another prophet in Israel.
00:07:14 --> 00:07:16 This is after 400 years of silence.
00:07:17 --> 00:07:19 So not only is God working miracles again.
00:07:20 --> 00:07:21 He is speaking again.
00:07:23 --> 00:07:25 And he has promised that the Lord will come.
00:07:25 --> 00:07:28 So God is working miracles.
00:07:28 --> 00:07:30 He is speaking and he is coming.
00:07:30 --> 00:07:31 This is amazing.
00:07:32 --> 00:07:34 And how does Zechariah respond?
00:07:35 --> 00:07:36 Verse 18.
00:07:37 --> 00:07:39 How can I be sure of this?
00:07:39 --> 00:07:41 I am an old man.
00:07:41 --> 00:07:44 And my wife, she is well along in years.
00:07:46 --> 00:07:49 I think that's a polite way of saying she's also old.
00:07:49 --> 00:07:50 But take note husbands.
00:07:50 --> 00:07:52 You know, that's a good way to say it.
00:07:54 --> 00:07:57 Zechariah doesn't believe the good news from the angel.
00:07:57 --> 00:08:05 It's important to note at this point, Zechariah is functioning as Israel's representative in the temple.
00:08:06 --> 00:08:10 He is the priest in the very heart of the temple before God.
00:08:11 --> 00:08:14 And he doesn't trust the message from God.
00:08:14 --> 00:08:21 This is an early indication of the way the Pharisees and Sadducees would respond to Jesus in the future.
00:08:22 --> 00:08:25 You know, not believing what he says, but saying, where is your sign?
00:08:26 --> 00:08:29 And I love how the angel responds here.
00:08:29 --> 00:08:31 You can imagine his face changing.
00:08:31 --> 00:08:33 So, you know, so his face looks like a storm.
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 Have a look in verse 19.
00:08:35 --> 00:08:59 Zechariah comes out of the temple.
00:08:59 --> 00:09:00 He can't speak.
00:09:00 --> 00:09:02 He's got a sign to the people waiting.
00:09:03 --> 00:09:09 And as the angel promised, Zechariah and Elizabeth conceive a child.
00:09:10 --> 00:09:13 But there's a really interesting comment from Elizabeth here.
00:09:14 --> 00:09:15 In verse 25.
00:09:15 --> 00:09:19 The Lord has done this for me, she said.
00:09:19 --> 00:09:26 In these days, he has shown his favor and he has taken away my disgrace among the people.
00:09:27 --> 00:09:29 The Lord has done this for me.
00:09:30 --> 00:09:36 Isn't that a bit short-sighted and a bit of a selfish view for Elizabeth to be saying this?
00:09:36 --> 00:09:39 You know, God is working out his plan for salvation for mankind.
00:09:40 --> 00:09:44 Prophesied about in the Old Testament that John would be the forerunner for Jesus.
00:09:45 --> 00:09:48 And this woman thinks it's all about her?
00:09:49 --> 00:09:52 Well, these two things are not separate.
00:09:53 --> 00:09:55 God is bringing joy to Elizabeth.
00:09:55 --> 00:09:58 But he's also bringing about his plan for salvation.
00:09:59 --> 00:10:02 Because God uses ordinary people.
00:10:03 --> 00:10:05 Ordinary people like all of us here.
00:10:06 --> 00:10:10 And he uses our hopes and desires for his own purposes.
00:10:12 --> 00:10:17 Our passions, our hopes and our desires are not necessarily separate from God's.
00:10:18 --> 00:10:19 He is a loving father.
00:10:20 --> 00:10:24 And he can use them to bring joy through our patience and faith in him.
00:10:26 --> 00:10:29 We are real people in a real world.
00:10:29 --> 00:10:33 With real desires, hopes and passions.
00:10:33 --> 00:10:37 And God does not call us to cut off from those good desires.
00:10:37 --> 00:10:40 Even if we should flee the sin of the world.
00:10:42 --> 00:10:46 Alyssa and I have just moved out of more college accommodation.
00:10:46 --> 00:10:49 We had the benefit of living in a great community for four years.
00:10:50 --> 00:10:53 In a one-bedroom and then a two-bedroom apartment.
00:10:53 --> 00:10:56 And it was really good to be in community.
00:10:56 --> 00:11:04 But in that little two-bedroom apartment with two kids, it sometimes got a bit small.
00:11:05 --> 00:11:08 And Isaac, he likes to run and jump and jump off things.
00:11:08 --> 00:11:12 And just a week ago, we moved into a house in Beverly Hills.
00:11:12 --> 00:11:14 Just near where we'll be working next year.
00:11:15 --> 00:11:18 And this is something we've been looking forward to for a while.
00:11:18 --> 00:11:21 Setting up a little house for ourselves.
00:11:21 --> 00:11:23 With a backyard for Isaac.
00:11:23 --> 00:11:25 With a room for Tamara.
00:11:25 --> 00:11:29 Just so that, you know, we've just been looking forward to this.
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 This has been one of our desires recently.
00:11:32 --> 00:11:34 We moved last week.
00:11:34 --> 00:11:38 And on the second day we were there, we got an invitation in our letterbox.
00:11:39 --> 00:11:43 For a cul-de-sac Christmas party a couple of days later.
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 And we thought, this is fantastic.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:46 We can, you know, we've just moved in.
00:11:46 --> 00:11:47 And we're going to get to meet all of our neighbors.
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 And we got to meet them all.
00:11:49 --> 00:11:51 And there's some unique characters there.
00:11:52 --> 00:11:54 There's some Christians that just live across the road from us.
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 Which is really lovely.
00:11:55 --> 00:11:57 But what I'm really interested in is.
00:11:57 --> 00:12:04 How is God going to use our desire to have a house in the suburbs.
00:12:04 --> 00:12:06 With good neighbors.
00:12:07 --> 00:12:10 How is God going to use that desire to reach these people?
00:12:11 --> 00:12:14 They all know that next year I'll be an Anglican minister.
00:12:15 --> 00:12:18 Probably going to see them every day after church.
00:12:18 --> 00:12:20 You know, today I'll see them when I get home.
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 It's Sunday.
00:12:21 --> 00:12:23 They'll probably say, what have you done today?
00:12:23 --> 00:12:25 And I'll say, well, I was at church.
00:12:25 --> 00:12:26 Let's talk about Jesus.
00:12:26 --> 00:12:32 But what opportunities is God setting up for me with my neighbors?
00:12:34 --> 00:12:40 What desires and passions do you have that God could use?
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 If only you would see them and be open to them.
00:12:45 --> 00:12:49 If you talk to a young man in our congregation, Ian Francis.
00:12:49 --> 00:12:52 If you talk to him for longer than a couple of minutes.
00:12:52 --> 00:12:55 He might mention how good the surf was this morning.
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 Was it good this morning?
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 Scary.
00:12:57 --> 00:12:58 Scary.
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 But scary, good.
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 Okay.
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 I'm not sure what that means.
00:13:04 --> 00:13:08 And Ian regularly tells me about how he went for a surf.
00:13:08 --> 00:13:12 And how he just invited someone to come to church.
00:13:12 --> 00:13:15 And how he may have even read the Bible with someone this morning.
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 Did that happen this morning, Ian?
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 He's trying to remember.
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 Maybe not this morning.
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 That's okay.
00:13:21 --> 00:13:27 I love how Ian's passion for surfing and for God are not two separate things.
00:13:27 --> 00:13:33 Zachariah was full of doubt and didn't trust God.
00:13:34 --> 00:13:37 Elizabeth had been waiting for many years for her child.
00:13:37 --> 00:13:45 But God was going to use them and their passion and their desires to announce the coming of the Lord.
00:13:45 --> 00:13:47 Even though they were ordinary people.
00:13:47 --> 00:13:52 As part of being prepared for Christmas.
00:13:52 --> 00:13:56 Be prepared for God to use you in extraordinary ways.
00:13:57 --> 00:13:59 Even though we are ordinary people.
00:13:59 --> 00:14:04 How can your passions and desires be used?
00:14:05 --> 00:14:11 Is it simply the case of sharing a passion with someone or sharing something you like?
00:14:12 --> 00:14:12 Like say golf.
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 I don't particularly like golf.
00:14:15 --> 00:14:17 But if you were to play golf with a friend.
00:14:17 --> 00:14:20 You've got them with you for a good couple of hours.
00:14:20 --> 00:14:22 Walking around a golf course.
00:14:22 --> 00:14:26 What a great opportunity you could have to talk to them.
00:14:29 --> 00:14:31 Jumping down to verse 57.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:34 We also jump to the end of Elizabeth's pregnancy.
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 And her baby's birth.
00:14:37 --> 00:14:40 She wants to call him John against the custom of the time.
00:14:41 --> 00:14:43 But the people with her are confused.
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 So Zachariah clarifies.
00:14:45 --> 00:14:47 Have a look at verse 62.
00:14:47 --> 00:14:54 Then they made signs to his father to find out what he would like to name the child.
00:14:54 --> 00:14:56 He asked for a writing tablet.
00:14:56 --> 00:14:58 And to everyone's astonishment he wrote.
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 His name is John.
00:15:01 --> 00:15:04 Immediately his mouth was opened.
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 And his tongue was loosed.
00:15:06 --> 00:15:08 And he began to speak praising God.
00:15:09 --> 00:15:11 When the baby is named John.
00:15:12 --> 00:15:15 It not only brings an end to Zachariah's silence.
00:15:15 --> 00:15:20 But also it brings an end to God's silence to Israel.
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 Zachariah's silence.
00:15:22 --> 00:15:27 It's a metaphor for the 400 years of silence that God had with Israel.
00:15:27 --> 00:15:29 With the birth of John.
00:15:29 --> 00:15:31 God is going to speak again to the people.
00:15:33 --> 00:15:35 This doesn't seem that amazing for us.
00:15:35 --> 00:15:37 Because we as Christians.
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 We're people of the book.
00:15:39 --> 00:15:42 You know we can always refer to God's word.
00:15:42 --> 00:15:46 But Israel had to have prophets to speak to them.
00:15:47 --> 00:15:49 They didn't rely on the written words like we can.
00:15:51 --> 00:15:53 For us if we have questions about something in life.
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 We talk to God.
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 We pray.
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 We read his word.
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 For an Israelite.
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 They could pray.
00:16:00 --> 00:16:03 But they were dependent on a prophet.
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 To hear from God.
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 So this really is.
00:16:06 --> 00:16:09 An amazing occasion for Israel.
00:16:09 --> 00:16:11 And the whole world.
00:16:11 --> 00:16:13 God is going to be speaking again.
00:16:15 --> 00:16:18 And the message that the prophet like baby would bring.
00:16:19 --> 00:16:22 Is indicated by a song that Zachariah sings.
00:16:22 --> 00:16:25 You know he's probably been busting to make a noise for nine months.
00:16:26 --> 00:16:29 And he's had time to think about his own doubts.
00:16:30 --> 00:16:32 And God's word from the angel.
00:16:33 --> 00:16:33 From the messenger.
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 And he sings praising God.
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 In verse 76.
00:16:37 --> 00:16:37 Have a look with me.
00:16:37 --> 00:16:41 And you my child.
00:16:41 --> 00:16:44 Will be called a prophet of the most high.
00:16:45 --> 00:16:47 For you will go on before the Lord.
00:16:47 --> 00:16:49 To prepare the way for him.
00:16:50 --> 00:16:53 To give his people the knowledge of salvation.
00:16:53 --> 00:16:55 Through the forgiveness of sins.
00:16:55 --> 00:16:59 This is the message that John brings.
00:17:00 --> 00:17:02 To repent and have forgiveness.
00:17:02 --> 00:17:05 And this is the same message that Jesus brings.
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 God is speaking again.
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 And what does he say?
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 Your exile.
00:17:13 --> 00:17:15 Your control from other enemies is over.
00:17:15 --> 00:17:18 The real enemy.
00:17:18 --> 00:17:20 Separation from God by death.
00:17:20 --> 00:17:22 Is going to be dealt with.
00:17:22 --> 00:17:25 There will be forgiveness of sins.
00:17:26 --> 00:17:30 This is still the same message that God speaks to us today.
00:17:31 --> 00:17:34 Zachariah prophesied about God's mercy.
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 And the coming forgiveness.
00:17:36 --> 00:17:38 And the coming forgiveness of sins.
00:17:38 --> 00:17:41 And we see this in how tenderly God treats us today.
00:17:41 --> 00:17:46 He lowers himself to our level as a man.
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 He paid the ultimate price.
00:17:49 --> 00:17:53 And he deals with our sinfulness, doubt and faithlessness.
00:17:54 --> 00:17:58 God reveals his preparations and the inner workings.
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 Of this big event.
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 The coming of the Lord.
00:18:02 --> 00:18:04 He shows us all the pieces.
00:18:04 --> 00:18:07 For the most spectacular Christmas in history.
00:18:07 --> 00:18:12 So what does it mean then for us to be prepared for Christmas?
00:18:14 --> 00:18:16 The first question we need to consider.
00:18:16 --> 00:18:19 Is how we will respond to the message.
00:18:20 --> 00:18:20 Of salvation.
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 And freedom from sin.
00:18:23 --> 00:18:25 That John and Jesus bring.
00:18:26 --> 00:18:29 Will we respond like Zachariah first did.
00:18:29 --> 00:18:31 With fear and doubt.
00:18:32 --> 00:18:34 Or maybe we'll just respond with nonchalance.
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 And say you know I've heard it all before.
00:18:35 --> 00:18:38 I'm not that interested this year.
00:18:40 --> 00:18:43 Can I ask you to consider this week before Christmas.
00:18:44 --> 00:18:46 How have you responded to this message?
00:18:47 --> 00:18:54 You may have been sitting in roughly the same spot in this church for 5, 10, 20, 30 years.
00:18:55 --> 00:18:59 And thought look everything is fine between me and God.
00:19:00 --> 00:19:04 But maybe you've not heard the message and actually responded.
00:19:04 --> 00:19:07 You may have thought look I'm part of the club.
00:19:07 --> 00:19:09 But when it comes down to brass tacks.
00:19:10 --> 00:19:12 And life gets difficult and stressful.
00:19:13 --> 00:19:15 You don't trust like Zachariah.
00:19:16 --> 00:19:21 Zachariah needed those nine months to consider God's work and his words.
00:19:22 --> 00:19:24 Before the Lord's first coming.
00:19:24 --> 00:19:30 This time of year is a good opportunity to consider the words of Jesus.
00:19:31 --> 00:19:35 The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
00:19:36 --> 00:19:41 You might be feeling like you are mostly prepared for Christmas next week.
00:19:41 --> 00:19:44 With all the food, most of the presents organized.
00:19:44 --> 00:19:48 But are you prepared for the second coming of Jesus?
00:19:49 --> 00:19:53 Have you put as much time and thought into being prepared for the second coming of Jesus
00:19:53 --> 00:19:57 as you have for a lunch next Thursday?
00:19:58 --> 00:19:58 Maybe a dinner.
00:20:00 --> 00:20:02 Is next week...
00:20:02 --> 00:20:04 Are you putting a lot of time into that?
00:20:04 --> 00:20:09 Are you putting a lot of time compared to the amount of time considering the Lord's second coming?
00:20:10 --> 00:20:16 It is more important to be prepared for that day that Jesus returns than for next Thursday.
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 Let's pray together.
00:20:18 --> 00:20:32 Heavenly Father, we thank you for how you have showed us the inner workings and preparations for your plan of salvation.
00:20:34 --> 00:20:39 Help us to not ignore them or the forgiveness that you have brought us through your Son.
00:20:40 --> 00:20:48 Help us to consider anew this week your Son's birth and how we respond to him.
00:20:48 --> 00:20:57 Help us to be prepared to love those around us and take every opportunity you give us, Lord.
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 In Jesus' name we pray.
00:21:00 --> 00:21:00 Amen.