Christ, Come, Remind us to Prepare the Way.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
    who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
    ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,    make his paths straight,’”

The last place we look for the "Christmas Story" is the Gospel of Mark. In rash fashion, typical of Peter's perspective, looking back to Christ's coming had to do with when He met Christ, being introduced to Him by his brother Andrew, who has been following John the Baptist, the one sent to "prepare the way." In other words, Andrew helped prepare the way for Christ coming to Peter, and Peter coming to Christ.  This is much of the real "Christmas story". God comes to us, often using others to "prepare the way" for us to receive Him.  When we do, it then becomes our part to "prepare the way" for others to receive Him too.  The "good news" came to the shepherds; they went and shared it.  Simeon and Anna waited to witness His coming; when He came they testified to it. Andrew and Peter were waiting for the Messiah; when he came to them; they told others. It sounds so simple, yet we make it so hard. That's what Advent does: it reminds us that Christ came to us, and as those who have received Him, we need to "prepare the way" for others to receive Him still.