Today I went to a couple of places where discussion centered on preparing for Christmas. We are in the church season of Advent right now. Christmas starts on December 25th with the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, and the "season of Christmas" goes until January 6th, when on that day we celebrate the kings that arrived with gifts to give the baby Jesus. They followed the bright star that showed the way to the simple manger.
"Prepare the way of the Lord." Advent is the time of preparing, of waiting, of counting down the days til Christmas. When you were young did you have an Advent Calendar and open a door on it each day as you got close to December 25th? I did. It was fun to open a new door each day and see a picture, or read a Bible passage. I don't have an Advent calendar this year but I have my regular calendar and am keeping track of the days left til Christmas. (19 days an counting...) So, it makes sense that now we are preparing our homes. We are decorating, putting up the tree, buying gifts, and will soon start baking. We are preparing to celebrate. We are setting the scene. It's a hectic time now getting everything ready. Preparing the way.
When Christmas Eve comes, and then Christmas Day, the pace changes. Have you noticed? The busyness (and business) of preparing for Christmas is done. There is a quiet...a peace. A pause. It's the time to open our hearts and to hear the Christmas message.
Christmas is coming. It's time to prepare. Prepare the way!
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