1. Prepare Mark 1:1-8

2. Christmas Focus Family Traditions Vacations Heralding

3. The angels The star Gabriel John

4. Mark 1:1-8 (NRSV) 1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;

5. Mark 1:1-8 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for

6. Mark 1:1-8 the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

7. Mark 1:1-8 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me;

8. Mark 1:1-8 I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

9. John Sent to prepare and proclaim the coming of Jesus

10. Prepare What to expect from Jesus Attitudes and minds Hearts and souls Situations and places

11. Proclaim The coming of Jesus Good news for the poor Release for the oppressed Hope

12. John The one who prepares and proclaims Not the one who saves the world

13. The Need The world is losing hope In each other In systems In God

14. The Need Violence, greed, hatred, oppression, corruption, disease, warfare, and despair are everywhere.

15. The Need So where is John? Bringing hope Bringing repentance Bringing good news

16. The Church The Church is John today Proclaiming hope Preparing for Christ

17. The Church But do we feel the urgency, the passion, the necessity of doing John’s work?

18. The Church We see the needs Too big Too far Too powerful

19. The Church But we are not the solution Jesus is the good news John just prepares people for Jesus

20. The Church Our Role Identify the needs Identify the hope Prepare the people

21. This Christmas season, let us prepare the world for the savior.