Hark! Am I a Herald? – December 22, 2023

Read: John 1:6-8,19-28

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
John 1:6-8

Hark! Am I a Herald?

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Have you heard the word “herald” before? Do you know what a “herald” is? (Maybe think of the Christmas song, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”)

A herald is someone who carries or proclaims important news, a messenger. The person we heard in our Bible reading was a “herald.” John was a herald. His nickname was John the Baptist, and he had some important news to tell people. He was excited to tell people that the Savior that God had promised to send was coming! Finally, it was time! John made sure people didn’t think he was the Savior—he was just the herald. He was the messenger telling people that the Savior was on his way!

People had been waiting for a long time for the Savior to come. For thousands of years, God told and promised his people that he was going to send someone who was going to fix all the wrong things people do (even the wrong things you and I do and say and think). God was going to send someone who was going to fight against the devil and win. God was going to send someone who was going to undo all the pain and sadness that death brings to us.

John announced, “The Savior is coming! So come out of sin, out of the world, and out from darkness! Come into the light of your salvation! If you are weary or carrying something heavy in your heart, come to him and he will give you rest!”

Do you think you can be a herald? Do you think you can share that amazing news? Then you can be a herald too! You can tell people about Jesus and everything he has done for them because you know and believe he has done it for you.

Closing Prayer:

God, you have called me in my young age to be a herald. You have given me this important news about Jesus to share with others. Be with me and help me to be a faithful herald and proclaimer of this great news! Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• In today’s devotion, what was the name of someone who announced important news?
• How can you be a herald this Christmas?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Think of the song “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” (Look up the words if you need to.) What good news were they a herald or messenger of?
• Why might it had been difficult for people to believe John when he announced the good news of a coming?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Since God has called you to be a herald or a messenger of this good news of Jesus, can you think of some promises God gives you that will help you carry out this job?
• John’s job as a herald was hard work. People regularly opposed him. How will the promises you just thought of help you when your job as a herald is hard?