Isaiah 40:3, 5

A voice of one calling: "In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken ~ Isaiah 40:3, 5

Elizabeth, an aged cousin to Mary, became pregnant. This was an impossibility, for she and Zechariah had been married for many years with no children, and Elizabeth was past time for bearing a child. But an angel came to Zechariah in the temple while he was burning incense to the Lord and told him he was to have a son. He would name this son "John", and John would be a great joy to him. This son would bring many back to worship the Lord their God as he was to be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he was born! All of this was very unusual, and hard to believe. Yet, Zechariah was chosen as was his wife to be graciously given the gift of bringing a child into the world which would herald in the coming kingdom of Jesus Christ. John would go "before the Lord" and prepare the way for the ministry of Jesus Christ. Today is the third Sunday of Advent, the Sunday we celebrate Joy. As John was a great joy to his parents, how can we be a great joy in the lives of those who look to us for love, guidance, and community? How can we herald in the coming of the King as we draw closer to Christmas day?
Devotion by Pastor Julia

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