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3rd Sunday in Advent
Luke 3:7-18

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of
vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Bear fruits
worthy of repentance.  Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham
as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise
up children to Abraham.  Even now the ax is lying at the root of the
trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and
thrown into the fire."

And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?"  In reply he said to
them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and
whoever has food must do likewise."  Even tax collectors came to be
baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?"  He said to
them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you."  Soldiers also
asked him, "And we, what should we do?"  He said to them, "Do not extort
money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with
your wages."

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in
their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,  John
answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is
more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his
sandals.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  His
winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather
the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable
fire."

So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the
people.