Gospel | John 3:22-30 (with Tom Gastil)

Opening Song:
You Must Increase by Advent Birmingham

Lyrics:
You are holy, and I am not;
You must increase, and I must decrease.

You are perfect, and I am not;
You must increase, and I must decrease.

You are wisdom, and I am not;
You must increase, and I must decrease.

Your grace is all I need,
For your power works best in weakness; Your grace is all I need:
You must increase, and I must decrease.

You are faithful, and I am not;
You must increase, and I must decrease.

You are in control, and I am not;
You must increase, and I must decrease.

I have been crucified with Christ,
No longer I, but Christ who lives;
The life I now live, I live by faith,
In the Son who gave himself for me.

Passage:
22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went to the Judean countryside, where he spent time with them and baptized.

23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. People were coming and being baptized, 24 since John had not yet been thrown into prison.

25 Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples and a Jew about purification. 26 So they came to John and told him, “Rabbi, the one you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, is baptizing—and everyone is going to him.”

27 John responded, “No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I’ve been sent ahead of him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the groom. But the groom’s friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the groom’s voice. So this joy of mine is complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
(John 3:22-30 CSB17)

Musical Reflection:
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, tune by Rowland Hugh Prichard

Reflection Notes:
This jubilant Advent text was written by the well-known hymn writer, Charles Wesley. While several tunes have been used over the years, one of the most popular for the Advent season is HYFRIDOL, a lilting Welsh melody composed by Rowland Hugh Prichard in the early nineteenth century.

Prayer:
Grant me the dew of your grace, Lord. Forgive my sins. But above all, may the glory belong to you.
-Rabbula of Edessa