Jesus Overcomes the World (Copy)

Christmas Weekday

Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family

John 1:19-28- This is the testimony of John.  When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him to ask him, “Who are you?” He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Christ.”  So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?”  And he said, “I am not.”  “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”  So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us?  What do you have to say for yourself?” He said: /“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,/ ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’/ as Isaiah the prophet said.”

Some Pharisees were also sent.  They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?”  John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.”  This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

(Parent)  Reread this part a few times aloud

“This is the testimony of John.”

(Parent)  Read this meditation aloud to the family

It can be a bit confusing that John (the Evangelist) is writing about John the Baptist, and refers to him only as “John.”  Well, John the Baptist is a very prominent figure in the Gospels, but he was also prominent in Israel in Jesus’ day.  In fact, he was so important that the Jews wondered if he was the prophet who was to come, or Elijah himself, or the Christ.  John was a big deal.  

The Jews had to be impressed to hear John’s “testimony” of the one coming after him whose sandal John wasn’t even worthy enough to untie.  “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11).  That is power.  We can get very down about the big, powerful events of the world: violence on the news, politics, financial worries, another semester of school…and as important and impactful as these are, Christ is infinitely greater than these, and can turn these things (and everything) to good.  Amidst our troubles, we must rejoice at Christmas.  For Christ has “overcome the world” (John 16:33).  

As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)