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With John the Baptist, in our worship today let us prepare the way of the Lord and make his paths straight.

Jesus, we are not worthy to undo the strap of your sandals.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, we repent. Forgive our sins.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, baptise us with your Holy Spirit.
Lord, have mercy.

Mark 1:1-8

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. [2] As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; [3] the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,' " [4] John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. [5] And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. [6] Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. [7] He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. [8] I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

John the Baptist was the fore-runner, building up the excitement of anticipation about the coming Messiah. No wonder Mark begins his book with the words, 'the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.'

This is a story about the excitement that anticipation brings, remembering that Christmas begins the story of the good news of Jesus Christ, Son of God.

"Is it nearly time?" asked Jasper.

His mother sighed. It was the fifth time he'd asked her in just one day. "Not long, now," she said.

"You always say that," persisted Jasper, "but it doesn't seem to get any nearer. How can it still be 'not long, now' when it was 'not long, now' yesterday - and the day before and even the day before that?"

His mother took his hand. "Come and light the Advent candle," she said, "then you can see for yourself exactly how long it is."

Jasper was excited. He loved lighting the Advent candle. He loved its tall, slender shape and its bright red colour, but best of all he loved all the little marks down the side which showed you exactly how long to burn the candle, and told you what day it was. Every time he lit the Advent candle it made Christmas seem a little bit nearer. But today he realised that the Advent candle was still unbelievably tall.

Carefully he read the number on the side of the candle. "Eight," he read. Then he looked at the numbers that were left, all the way to twenty five. There were lots of them. "It's going to be ages, yet," he muttered.

His mother just laughed. "It'll go in no time, you'll see," she promised.

Next day Jasper began to colour in Christmas cards for all his friends at school. There was a special post box in the school hall, covered in red crepe paper and with a slot to post cards, and each day the post would be delivered to the different class rooms. Jasper had already received six Christmas cards, so he knew he had to work hard on his colouring. That evening the Advent candle burned down a little further.

Jasper was in a play at school. He had to rehearse every day, and his Mum was making him a wonderful velvet cloak and a crown out of cardboard and covered with gold paper. On the last day of school, Jasper's class was going to present the play for all their parents and grandparents and uncles and aunts and little brothers and sisters. Jasper's Mum was going to watch, and one of his grannies was coming over specially. But his Dad would be at work, and he didn't have any brothers or sisters.

Jasper was so busy rehearsing and colouring his Christmas cards that he forgot to light the Advent candle for three days in a row. When he lit the candle again, it took ages to burn all the way down to the right mark. Suddenly, it began to look much shorter. "It must be nearly time now!" said Jasper.

His mother nodded, and there was a mysterious little smile on her lips. "I think it is!" she said. They went carol singing that night with the Sunday School, but Jasper's Mum didn't go. She said she'd stay behind and rest. She was waiting for Jasper with hot chocolate and a mince pie when he finished. He was too tired to light the Advent candle that night, and fell fast asleep as soon as he snuggled down in bed.

Granny came to stay next day, so Jasper knew it must be nearly time for his play. He was so excited that he couldn't keep still, not even for a moment. He hopped about from one foot to the other until Granny felt quite tired watching him. "Come on, Pet," she said. "Come and help me decorate the Christmas Tree."

It took a long time to dress the Christmas Tree, but when they'd done, Jasper could hardly believe his eyes. It looked so beautiful with its little fairy lights winking at him and its streamers and baubles and tinsel. On the top of the tree they'd placed an angel, and she shone down at them as though she was taking especial care of them all. Jasper was glad, because his Mum was lying down again and he didn't know why she felt so weary. But he knew the Christmas Tree angel would look after her.

On the day of the play, Jasper had a wonderful surprise, for there in the audience he spotted his Dad, sitting next to Granny. Only he couldn't see his Mum. Perhaps she'd slipped out for a moment. The play was the best thing that Jasper had ever done in his entire life. He felt so proud and pleased when it was over that he thought he might burst. He rushed over to his family who hugged him and praised him; only his Mum wasn't there.

"Where's Mum?" he asked.

His Dad hesitated for a moment, then hugged him even closer. "You remember the Advent candle?" he asked. Jasper nodded, a small frown on his forehead. "Well," continued his Dad, "the time is nearly here. Mum's at home, resting. I've taken a video of the play so that she can see it on the television."

Jasper was excited all over again. He'd never thought that he might be on television, and he couldn't wait to get home and show the video to his Mum.

But when they got in, he had to wait with Granny while his Dad ran upstairs to see Mum first.

"Come and light the Advent candle," said Granny.

When Jasper had lit the candle this time, there was almost no candle left. It had burned right down to number eighteen, and Jasper knew for himself that it was nearly time. He felt a funny feeling in his tummy, as though something truly amazing was about to happen.

Then his Dad came down. He had a broad grin all over his face, and he winked at Granny over Jasper's head. Jasper saw Granny's eyes fill with tears, and wondered why. But Dad was holding his hand and pulling him up the stairs to the big bedroom where Mum was lying down. Jasper ran towards his Mum - but suddenly stopped. He held his breath and stared and stared and stared. His mother laughed, and held out a hand to him.

"Come on, Jasper," she said gently. "Come and see your new baby sister."

Jasper looked at the tiny baby nestled in his mother's arms, and felt his heart fill up with so much love that he nearly burst into tears, just like Granny. "What's her name?" he wanted to know.

"Shall we call her Carol or Noelle?" asked his Mum. "She is a Christmas baby, after all."

Jasper chose Carol, because that was his favourite name. "Carol was a long time coming," he said, "but I'm so glad she's here now. I love her so much already! And I'm so glad she was born on nearly the same day as Jesus." Then he added, "Now I know why God sent Jesus as a baby at Christmas. It's the most wonderful present you could ever have." And he ran downstairs to finish wrapping his presents and make absolutely sure everything was ready for his baby sister's first Christmas.

Continue with the Jesse Tree. This week represent the prophets and kings. You could have a star of David, and a crown, and a burning bush (for Moses), and a plumb line for Amos, and pictures of the prophets or their names. You could have John the Baptist as the last of the prophets. Hang your symbols on the next branches up on your Jesse Tree.

A prayer for the hanging of the symbols:

Thank you God, for special people who teach us and lead us. Help us to be ready for Christmas so that we can welcome baby Jesus into our hearts once more. Amen.

Light again the first candle on the Advent Wreath, and light the second candle. The second candle represents the Prophets - our teachers in the faith. A prayer for lighting the second Advent candle:

We light this candle to give thanks for the prophets, who prepared the way for God's people in the Old Testament. Thank you God, for sending the prophets to help people get ready for Jesus. May we too be prepared for Jesus this Christmas. Amen.

As John the Baptist made the way ready for Jesus, so may we make the way ready for God, through our prayers:

God of the waiting time, may we in your Church be ready to welcome everyone this Christmas, for we know that when we welcome other people, we welcome you.

God of the waiting time, give to world leaders the patience to wait. Prevent them from rushing into hasty decisions, but enable first them to step back and listen for your guidance.

God of the waiting time, help us all to carefully prepare for your coming at Christmas. May we be clean inside and out so that we're ready to receive you into our inner being.

God of the waiting time, be very close to those who are waiting for death. Hold them tight in your arms and stroke away their fears. Pour your blessings into those who are sick, and comfort those who are sad.

We ask these prayers through Jesus, who makes the way to God ready for us. Amen.

May you enjoy the fun and
anticipation and excitement of Advent,
and may you prepare for the
coming of the Lord into your heart.
And the blessing of God almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you now,
be in your homes and in your families
and with all those whom you love
and for whom you pray,
this Advent season and always.
Amen.