Who am I?

“A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill be made low.”

These words from Isaiah are part of this Sunday’s Gospel and describe the mission of John the Baptist, the last and greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Luke 3:1-6

John proclaimed “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.”

The Gospel opens with the historian gospel writer Luke, outlining the political situation at the time of Jesus.

Jesus lived at a particular time in a particular geographic area in a particular social and political setting.

But was Jesus not only a real historical figure but the Son of God? This is the all important and key question?

If Jesus was a good and wise man who cared for the poor and those looked down upon in his day; a man who did amazing things, then we can move on with our lives. There have been many such people.

But if Jesus was the Christ, the anointed sent by God as Saviour of humankind, whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas, then this changes everything for the world for all time and is totally life changing for each person individually.

Understanding what Jesus said and did while on earth is essential, indispensable and crucial for our lives. Namely the gospel teaching, healing and other miracles, and the death of Jesus on the cross and above all his Resurrection from the dead.

God has a plan for our eternal destiny, that we should be with him forever.

It all starts with repentance as John the Baptist taught. Metanoia – a complete change of heart; becoming who we are truly meant to be in God’s sight; the Father’s plan for us since the beginning of time and from our mother’s womb.  

Dear Jesus may I see more clearly who you really are this Christmas and in so doing discover who I am.

Amen