Good Sunday morning. So Joseph awakens and does what the angel told him to do. Jesus is born in Bethlehem and the magi come looking for him. Herod tries to trick them into finding out where the baby is and telling him. The star that they had seen in the east shows them the way. They come into the house and see the baby with His mother. (I'm sure you've heard this before – they did not come to the manger.) They give Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. You may or may not know that myrrh is part of the holy anointing oil. Frankincense is part of the holy incense burned to the Lord. God warned them in a dream to go home a different way. Joseph has another dream with an angel telling him to take Jesus and His mother and go to Egypt. He does so immediately. Herod kills the babies. Joseph has another dream and the angel tells him to go home. Joseph hears that Herod’s son is ruling in Judea and is afraid. God warns him in a dream – and he goes to Nazareth. John the Baptist comes preaching “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He scolds the Pharisees and Sadducees. He tells them that he baptizes with water for repentance, but there is One coming who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Jesus comes to be baptized and John says that he needs to be baptized by Jesus. John recognizes that what he has is not all that there is and needs to be baptized by Jesus. Unfortunately John was still under the old covenant. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is part of the new covenant. Jesus says in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. When Jesus comes out of the water the Spirit of God descends like a dove upon Him, and a voice from heaven says “this is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”. Thus we have the Trinity all at the same time. Father thank You that You sent Your Son for us. You had the perfect plan. Help today to be a great one for the reader. Help him/her to know that You love him/her and will meet all of his/her needs.

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