John was in Judea’s desert.
He was preaching and was saying
“Repent!” The Kingdom is at hand.
No doubt John was praying.

It was of John, Isaiah spoke,
In days gone by of old.
“A voice of one crying out”
John’s coming was foretold.

“Prepare the way of the Lord.”
Make straight a path in haste.
John’s clothing was of camel hair,
A belt of leather bound his waist.

John baptized for repentance,
did not baptize for show.
He baptized to prepare the way,
This way we’re called to go.

Now the Pharisees and Sadducees,
Came to be baptized too.
John called them a “brood of vipers.”
John’s wrath it seems they drew.

John said they must produce good fruit
To show they had repented.
Bad fruit-bearing trees would be cut down.
And from more growth prevented.

One mightier than he was coming:
One holy and praiseworthy.
To carry His sandals,
John thought himself unworthy.

This One would also baptize,
But with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
He’d gather wheat into His barn.
For the chaff things would be dire.

The chaff clinging to their sin,
To their sin entrenched.
would burn forever in a fire
that was never quenched.

LORD Jesus, help us to repent
Repent with lamentation.
Help us to flee from all our sin,
With the Spirit’s illumination.

May loved ones hear the words of John.
In their hearts this day.
May repentance flood their souls,
That You might show them the way.

Into hearts grown hard by sin.
Into minds confused,
Into souls on stormy seas,
May Your wisdom be infused.

As we prepare a way for You,
Let’s remember John was sent,
To show us the path to You,
This day may all repent.

(Based on Matt. 3:1-12)