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PRAYER FOR THE WEEK
Jesus, teach me not to ask for new versions of everything this Christmas! 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."

With Christmas coming, kids are paying more attention than usual to ads and commercials. There may be a new 3D Nintendo DS you're dreaming about...or an iPad 2...or the latest Wii game. Whatever you already own, there's always a newer, more impressive version coming along - and you want them all!

In a way, this week's Gospel (Mark 1:1-8) is about a newer version of God. John the Baptist has already gotten a great reputation, helping people get past their sins and get closer to God - but now, John tells everyone to stop acting as if he's God.

John has just been preparing the way. The real God is coming, says John: Jesus is here, and people need to get ready for Him!

Commercials and ads try to convince kids that the stuff you have isn't good enough. Suddenly, your old Wii games seem lame; your old DS isn't nearly fast enough. You want to toss perfectly good toys and get new versions. Of course, until you saw the ad, you loved your old stuff and used it all the time.

The Gospel story is one case in which the new version really is better! John has been baptizing people in the river, but Jesus will baptize them by bringing the Holy Spirit from heaven to be with them always. John has been teaching about God, but Jesus IS God.

Every once in a while, newer really is better. Having the Son of God come into the world at Christmas was a lot better than hearing about Him from someone else![[In-content Ad]]

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