The Baptism of our Lord
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 NKJV
Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”
When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
J. I. Packer
The Christmas spirit does not shine out in the Christian snob. For the Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor – spending and being spent – to enrich their fellow men, giving time, trouble, care and concern, to do good to others – and not just their own friends – in whatever way there seems need. There are not as many who show this spirit as there should be. If God in his mercy revives us, one of the things He will do will be to work more of this spirit in our hearts and lives. (Knowing God, p. 56)
Gregory of Nazianzus
Christ is born; the Spirit is his forerunner. Christ is baptized; the Spirit bears him witness. Christ is tempted; the Spirit leads him up. Christ performs miracles; the Spirit accompanies him. Christ ascends; the Spirit fills his place. (Oration on the Holy Spirit)
What might the ministry of John the Baptist looked like had it happened in the 20th century?
https://youtu.be/c1SiaCV26aQ?si=9-ggePWsRm13-JlI
O For A Closer Walk With God
William Cowper, Keith Getty, Stuart Townsend
O for a closer walk with God
A calm and heavenly frame
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb
Where is the blessèdness I knew
When I first saw the Lord
Where is that soul refreshing view
Of Jesus and His word
What peaceful hours I once enjoyed
How sweet the memory still
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill
The dearest idol I have known
Whate’er that idol be
Help me tear it from Thy throne
And worship only Thee
So shall my walk be close with God
Calm and serene my frame
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb
O Fire of God come burn in me
Renew a holy passion
Till Christ my deepest longing be
My never-failing fountain
My never-failing fountain
O For a Closer Walk With God
https://youtu.be/e7PdQRbzKgU?si=HOZO_LF6X70ojFWi
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
