Matthew 3:1-12

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three…Good morning, Sammy!

 

Sammy: Good morning everyone! It’s the second Sunday in Advent, Pastor.

 

Pastor: Yes it is, Sammy. Today we lit a candle for peace.

 

Sammy: There’s two candles lit, Pastor.

 

Pastor: Yes, and we have two more weeks to go in Advent.

 

Sammy: Christmas is coming soon, Pastor. I still have so much to do. I have to clean up the barn with my maaa-maaa. Then I have to get a gift for each of my friends. I have a lot of friends, so that’s a lot of gifts. After that, I am baking cookies with Farmer Matthew.

 

Pastor: Hold on a second, Sammy. You bake cookies?

 

Sammy: Of course! And baaa-nana bread.

 

Pastor: Sammy, you have a lot of things on your list here.

 

Sammy: I do. It’s overwhelming. I am a busy lamb.

 

Pastor: I think you are missing something, Sammy.

 

Sammy: Oh no! What am I missing?

 

Pastor: Boys and girls, what do you think Sammy is missing? What should Sammy be focused on as we get ready for Christmas?

 

[Allow time for responses]

 

Pastor: Sammy, we need to be focused on Jesus this Christmas. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus to come to earth and begin his ministry. Each Christmas, we are preparing our hearts for the return of the King, the return of Jesus.

 

Sammy: Wow! When you put it like that, Pastor, all the other stuff on my list doesn’t seem to matter.

 

Pastor: We have to stay focused, Sammy. I know that it’s easy in this season to get distracted by celebrations, parties, cleaning, shopping, and baking, but we have to remember the point of Christmas is to worship God.

 

Sammy: I am going to try to do better, Pastor. I think I will try to read some books about Jesus every day. That way I can remember how he came to earth as a baby.

 

Pastor: That sounds great, Sammy. Boys and girls, will you pray with me? Dear Jesus, Thank you for helping us prepare our hearts for your return. Thank you for being our King. Help us to focus on you. Amen.

 

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

 

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

 

“And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him” (Mark 5:3b-4).

There are people in this world about which we might say, “They are crazy.”  But there are also those who are demon possessed.  Yes, it happens in our day too.  Do not try to figure it out but learn to be discerning and listen to the Holy Spirit.  By faith we are led all the days of our life and each of us has appointments according to what the Lord intends for our life.  Remember, He is the author of your faith.

Lord, I know there were those for whom You cast out demons.  We encounter demons every day, pestering us and others.  Rather than trying to figure all these things out, help me to look to You and take the instruction You would give me in every circumstance.  With You, all things are possible.  Help me to have that first in my mind and not seek anything other than learning how to be obedient to You.

Lord Jesus, in every moment You were obedient to the will of the Father.  In that example, help me to learn obedience.  Whether you keep me from the demonic or teach me to cast out demons, lead me to be faithful and not worry about things You will have me do.  Let Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, rest upon me that this day I may humbly walk as Your faithful servant.  Amen.