Monday, December 1: On Jordan’s Bank

This hymn reminds us of the ministry of John the Baptist, who prepared people for the coming of the Savior.

We are told to “listen” to John the Baptist in stanza one.  What was his message? Read Matthew 3:1-6

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’ ”

4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
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Our hearts are ready for Jesus when the Holy Spirit works in our hearts, leading us to be sorry for our sins, to trust in Jesus for forgiveness, and to want to live a life of faith that brings him glory.  Confess some sins you struggle with (each family member).  Close with a prayer of thanks for Jesus’ forgiveness and a prayer asking Jesus to help you fight against sin for his glory.

1 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry announces that the Lord is nigh.
Come, then, and listen, for he brings glad tidings of the King of kings!

2 Then cleansed be every life from sin: make straight the way for God within,
and let us all our hearts prepare for Christ to come and enter there.

3 We hail you as our Savior, Lord, our refuge and our great reward.
Without your grace we waste away like flowers that wither and decay.
4 Stretch forth your hand, our health restore, and make us rise to fall no more.

O let your face upon us shine and fill the world with love divine.

5 All praise to you, eternal Son, whose advent has our freedom won,
whom with the Father we adore, and Holy Spirit, evermore.