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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, help me make my Christmas list a little shorter this year! Amen.

When Jesus was ready to start teaching, John the Baptist reminded people to get ready, to show they were sorry for their sins by being baptized. "The one who's coming is much greater than I am," John said. "I don't even deserve to untie His shoes! And I'll just baptize you with water, but He can baptize with the Holy Spirit."

Have you ever looked at a store's catalog or sale flyer and circled every toy and other thing you dream of having? Some kids do that, or they make Christmas lists of everything they want. Then they fantasize about getting a whole pile of new toys.

The interesting thing about "Christmas dreaming" is that it can make what you already have seem kind of boring. Your toys and games are great, but they're not new.

This week's Gospel (Mark 1:1-8) is about what people already have and what's coming - but it's the opposite of your Christmas dreaming.

John has been baptizing people and helping them find faith in God. He's gotten very popular; people come from miles around to listen to him and be baptized.

Then John starts to talk about Jesus - someone no one knows. John claims Jesus is even better than him. John assures people that what he's doing, Jesus will do even better - but it's hard for some people to get excited about an unknown person when they already like John.

That's the opposite of a kid with Christmas coming: Often, you're ready to toss all your old toys as you dream about new ones!

It was good for people to get excited about Jesus and be ready to follow Him, but there's another lesson in there: Value what you have.

While you're getting excited about the possibility of new Christmas toys, remember that your old ones are good, too - and you probably need fewer new ones than you think. Get excited about Christmas, but cut that list of "dream toys" down a little![[In-content Ad]]

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