Luke 3: 3-6 (NRSV)
He (John the Baptist) went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
Get ready! It’s almost time!
The Christmas season has just begun, and it’s about to be in full swing.
Every year I look forward to the fun parts - family time and hot chocolate by the fire - but I have come to dread the days which include preparation for the Big Day.
The truth is, December 25 is not the only part of Christmas that matters. It’s the preparation; not the shopping and party prep, but rather the act of preparing to celebrate the birth of a tiny God-child in a bed of hay.
Preparing for that beautiful day requires moments of stillness. Moments in which we contemplate the reason for Christ’s birth. He came to save. He came to die and to rise. The tiny child came for you and for all.
Preparing for Christmas means taking time of joy and expectation, it may come alone in the quiet, or with family, hot chocolate and a fireplace. However you prepare, take time to do it!
Get ready! It’s almost time!
Pray: Lord, fill me with expectation in preparation, not the dread of busyness. Amen
