Worldwide Christmas December 14, 2025 Devotional

JOHN 1:19-21, 25-27 | ¹⁹ This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” ²⁰ He confessed and did not deny it, but he confessed, “I am not the Messiah.”

²⁵ They asked him, “Why, then, are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” ²⁶ John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, ²⁷ the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.”

One of the goals of psychotherapy is ego adjustment. Getting our cars adjusted, or our spines adjusted, is usually a pretty straightforward matter. But what is an ego adjustment? Psychologists talk about self-understanding and self-acceptance. They mention the need to moderate our needs and desires for attention and love in light of the needs of others and even the needs of the community. They seek a self-defining mean between being egotistical and underdeveloped. But John the Baptist shows us another way of approaching the question. His ego adjustment is based on his relationship to God. He is strong enough to announce Jesus’ arrival and small enough to get out of the way!

When was the most egotistical phase of your life?

Have you ever felt insignificant?

Whom do you know that has a well-adjusted ego? How can you tell?

Gracious God,

Help me be strong enough to play my part and be humble enough to honor You as I do it.

Amen.