The first part of John's message was sin and the need for forgiveness. The second part is the person of Jesus Christ. The first verse of the Gospel already has told us who he is. He is “the Son of God.” John tells what this means when he says, “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie” (v. 7).

Over the next few days everybody will be making final preparations for Christmas, and it is not exactly something we look forward to. At least I don't. I admire people who do it weeks or even months in advance, like people who have all their gifts purchased, wrapped, and even mailed by Thanksgiving. I do most of my shopping two weeks before Christmas. However, whether it is early or late, by the final night we will have made whatever preparation we are going to have made. After that it is too late. All we will be able to do is sit back in an exhausted state and “enjoy.”