John the Baptist came to the Desert of Judea and began preaching saying, "You must all repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near."  He was telling the people that they should turn away from their sin and doing wrong doings, and start to obey God's commands.

John wore clothes made out of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey.  How would you like to live on crunchy insects even if they were sweetened with honey? (Let the children respond).

People came to him from Jerusalem and all over Judea confessing their sins, and were baptised by him in the Jordan River.  "What shall we do?" the people asked him, and he answered, "Whoever has two coats, let him give one to him who has none, and if you have meat, then give some to those who are hungry.

The tax-collectors came to be baptised and asked, "Master, what shall we do?"  John answered, "Collect only what taxes the Government instructs you to."  And then some soldiers asked, "And what shall we do?"  John answered them, "Don't use violence on any man, nor accuse anybody falsely, and be content with your wages!"

The people wondered in their hearts whether John was the Christ or not.   John therefore said to them, "I indeed baptise you with water, but One mightier than I is coming, whose shoes I am not worthy to undo.  He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire!

Now Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry and came from Galilee to the River Jordan to be baptised by John.  John tried to stop Him, saying, "I need to be baptised by You."  But Jesus replied, "Let it be so for now, for we must do everything that God tells us to do."

John then baptised Jesus and as He came out of the water, John saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Jesus.  And a voice from Heaven said, "This is My beloved Son, with Him I am well pleased."

God was well pleased with Jesus because He always obeyed God and never sinned.  Children can also please God by obeying their parents and doing what the Bible says.  Praying and reading your Bible every day will let the Holy Spirit guide you and show you how to live the right way.

He will also strengthen and change your life so that you will want to please God in all you do and say.  What will be your answer to the question, "Master, what shall I do?" (Let the children respond.)

I hope your answer is, "I'm going to obey my parents and Jesus, and be kind to other people!"

God bless.