Luke 3:7-18

John said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “You pack of snakes! Who warned you to escape the wrath to come? Produce good fruit as a sign of your repentance. And don’t presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Sarah and Abraham as our mother and father,’ for I tell you that God can raise children for Sarah and Abraham from these very stones. The ax is already laid at the root of the tree; every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and tossed into the fire.”

When the people asked him, “What should we do?” John replied, “Let the one with two coats share with the one who has none. Let those who have food do the same.”

Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to John, “Teacher, what are we to do?”

John answered them, “Exact nothing over and above your fixed amount.”

Soldiers likewise asked, “What about us?” John told them, “Don’t bully anyone. Don’t accuse anyone falsely. Be content with your pay.”

The people were full of anticipation, wondering in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. John answered them all by saying, “I am baptizing you in water, but someone is coming who is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not fit to untie! This One will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire. A winnowing-fan is in his hand to clear the threshing floor and gather the wheat into the granary, but the chaff will be burnt in unquenchable fire.” Using exhortations like this, John proclaimed the Good News to the people.

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Saviour always! I say it again: Rejoice! Let everyone see your forbearing spirit. Our Saviour is near. Dismiss all anxiety from your minds; instead, present your needs to God through prayer and petition, giving thanks for all circumstances. Then God’s own peace, which is beyond all understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.