“…to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:17
We start weeks, even months ahead getting ready for Christmas. We plan events. We make shopping lists. We schedule vacation. We clean the house. We decorate. We buy extra groceries. We work out the get-togethers — who’s bringing what, where will they sit, what if the weather turns bad, what if we get the flu? So many details. So many resources. So much energy.
And yet it seems like every year, we are less prepared.
The last thing I want to do is write a guilt-inducing post shaming us all for celebrating Christmas. Instead I want us to step back and consider a bigger picture. Remember Christmas is the First Advent. The Second is still out there.
All the preparation and joy and celebrating that comes with Christmas is just a taste of what’s to come with the Second Advent. We feel the expectation and the anticipation.
We’ve heard the prophecies.
We know the promises will be kept.
This Christmas and through the coming new year, let’s resolve to be a people prepared for the Lord.