Strange, isn’t it, that I would find our first family’s Christmas story in Mark. After all, there is no Joseph and Mary! No Shepherds! No angelic host! No magi! Ah, but there is “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”, Mark 1.1. The gospel – the never before heard good news – that God has done for us through Jesus that which we could never do for ourselves, must be told!

I. The ____________ of the ______________. Mark 1.1
II. The ____________ of the ______________. Mark 1.7
III. The ____________ of the ______________. Mark 1.4