24 June 2013

Nativity of St. John The Baptist



The Church doesn't typically celebrate the earthly birthdays of its saints but their Heavenly birthdays, the days they died and entered Heaven. There are two exceptions to that, Mary's and John the Baptist's births. As I understand it, the Catholic church teaches that this is because they were born without Original sin. As Lutherans we don't teach or believe that but we still commemorate the birth of St. John the Baptist today.

"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.” The beautiful words of Zechariah from Luke 1:76-79

Reading: Zechariah and Elizabeth and John's birth from Luke 1

Activities:

Appropriate symbols for teaching about St. John or decorating for this Feast day are: Camel-skin robe, cross, lamb, pouring water from hands or scallop shell for Baptism. 


My children like to watch "Bible shows" so we watched the story of John the Baptist HERE.

On this day we also remember in prayer our sisters who are barren. We pray for their continual comfort and guidance. We can also remember to pray for expectant mothers.


We know that John leaped for joy in Elizabeth's womb, so today is also a good day to emphasize the life of the unborn, teaching our children about the gift and miracle that begins at conception.

Coloring Pages:
One (this is actually Simeon and Anna, but it works!)
Two (Abraham and Sarah, but again, it works.)
Three - A pregnant mama, can easily be turned into Elizabeth.



1 comment:

  1. WE BELIEVE JOHN'S BAPTISM
    Why do most believers in Christ accept what God said about the purpose of John the Baptist's baptism, but reject what God said about the purpose of Christian baptism?

    JOHN'S BAPTISM & CHRISTIAN BAPTISM

    Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God's purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John.

    Most believers accept this as fact. Quakers and the Church of the Salvation Army reject Christian water baptism. If the Pharisees rejected God's purpose my not being baptized by John, what will be the fate of the men today who are not baptized with Christian baptism or reject its purpose?

    Mart 1:4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

    Men do not deny that John the Baptist baptize for (in order to) the forgiveness of sins, however, they reject Christian baptism outright or deny it is for (in order to) the remission of sins.

    Luke 3:3,7 And he came into all the district around Jordan,preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; 7 So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be
    baptized by him, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

    Most men agree that these men were fleeing, the wrath to come, by being baptized by John for the forgiveness of their sins. Men today do not believe that men can flee from the wrath to come by being baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.

    Why would men believe God when He talks about the baptism of John, but doubt God when He refers to the purpose of Christian baptism?

    Act 19:4 Paul said "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.

    Most "Faith Only" believers agree that John baptized with the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, and then the people subsequently believed in Jesus.

    Most "FAITH ONLY" believers deny that Peter and the apostles preached Jesus and then told the believers to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. (Acts 2:22-41)


    THE QUESTION REMAINS WHY WOULD BELIEVERS IN CHRIST ACCEPT GOD'S WORD CONCERNING THE BAPTISM OF JOHN, BUT DENY CHRISTIAN BAPTISM? (JOHN'S BAPTISM IS NOT VALID TODAY)

    WHY DO "FAITH ONLY" BELIEVERS REJECT GOD'S VIEW ABOUT CHRISTIAN BAPTISM?

    CHRISTIAN BAPTISM: Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, Acts22:16, 1 Peter3:21.Colossians 2:12-13



    YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY CHRISTIAN BLOG. http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com

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