The Little Dipper

This Advent message takes us into the wilderness with John the Baptist, where we discover that true preparation for Christ's coming isn't about decorating our homes but cleansing our hearts. Through Matthew's gospel account, we encounter John as the 'Little Dipper' who points us toward the 'Big Dipper'—Jesus Christ himself. John's harsh words to the religious leaders remind us that spiritual pedigree means nothing without genuine transformation. His call for 'fruits of repentance' challenges us to move beyond private confession to public, visible change in how we live. The symbolism is rich: just as the North Star guides travelers, John guides seekers to Jesus; just as the Jordan River marked Israel's entrance into the Promised Land, baptism marks our entrance into new life. What makes this message especially relevant is its insistence that we cannot produce good fruit alone—we need the Holy Spirit's power. The story of Matt DeBoer, a school principal who transformed from middle school bully to servant leader, illustrates how confronting our sin and choosing righteousness can redirect our entire life trajectory. This Advent season, we're invited to ask ourselves: Are we using our gifts to lift people up or put them down? Are we cleaning our hearts as diligently as we clean our houses? The good news is that Christ comes not just once in history, but continuously into our lives through the Holy Spirit, empowering us to become the people God created us to be.