Good News B2 Mark 1:1-8 Second Sunday of Advent, children's devotional, Cycle B, written by Joan Y. Edwards

Cycle B

Good News B2

Second Sunday of Advent

Mark 1:1-8 Bible Gateway New International Version

Today is the Second Week in Advent. If you have an Advent Wreath, light two candles.

John, the Baptist was one of God’s helpers. John, the Baptist loved nature. He wore a coat made of camel’s skin. He ate grasshoppers and ate honey. He was a cousin to Jesus. His job as God’s helper was to prepare the people for the teachings of Jesus. He told people to change their lives. He told them to start obeying God’s commandments. He told them to tell God they were sorry for their sins. He told them to come and be baptized as a way of saying they were sorry for their sins. He baptized people with the water from the Jordan River. He told them that a man who was mightier than him was coming. He was talking about Jesus. Jesus was the mighty one who was coming to baptize people with the Holy Spirit. John, the Baptist baptized thousands of people. Some people did not want to change their evil ways, therefore, they did not get baptized.

You may have been baptized as a baby. You can renew your baptism by telling God that you are very sorry for your sins. Ask him to help you stay on his path. Ask him to help you keep away from evil. You are human. You make mistakes. God can help fill your life with love and forgiveness for yourself and others. He will give you all the “grace” you need. Grace is another word for “God’s help.”

At different times in your life, God may ask you to be one of his helpers. If you happen to be there when someone is about to die, you can baptize that person. All you have to do make the sign of the cross over them and say: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” God may want you to call 911. He may want you to give directions to a lost person. He may want you to help your younger brother or sister put their toys away neatly. He may want you to send a get well card to a friend in the hospital. It could be that he just wants you to pray for everyone in your neighborhood. God gives you clues as to what he wants you to do. God’s clues are the good thoughts that go through your head.

Find a nice quiet place in your home and say the “Our Father” and ask God to give you a clear idea of what he wants you to do to help others. Your head will quickly fill up with many ideas. Then, you can begin to be God’s helper here on earth.

“Our Father, who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”