Can people, places, things point to Jesus– even non-Christian things? Paul tells us that all of nature does that in Romans 1:20. But what about myths and stories and characters from from other cultures?

Pastor Chris reflected some on his recent trip to Japan where about 98% of the people are not religious (but love Christmas). Could there be some things in their culture that we could pray that God would use to point them to the Christ of Christmas? Join us as we look at the intriguing and beloved character named Jizo and, along the way, we look at the remarkable story of John the Baptist.

The painting associated with this sermon, and the one Pastor Chris referred to, is da Vinci’s “St. John the Baptist” (detail) and is viewable in the Epiclesis platform but not in iTunes Podcasts. Pastor Chris’s off the cuff memory that it was by Rembrandt was mistaken.