Daily Archive

Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭3

It’s the holiday season and many of us have been busy getting ready for parties, family get-togethers and perhaps even travel. Maybe you’ve decorated the yard with lights and decorations tied to the season. The tree is up and decorated, waiting for brightly wrapped packages. The interior of your house may have decorations to celebrate the season as well.

After all, it’s Christmas! We spend millions of dollars every year with decorations, food and gifts. Some neighborhood’s have contests (official or unspoken) to see who has the best light display. I love Christmas! All the work we put into decorating for a few short weeks is well worth it in my book.

While preparing all the external things for Christmas is important, of more importance is preparing our hearts. No doubt Mary and Joseph prepared for the coming of the infant Jesus as much as they could. But they could never have been ready for what God had prepared for them. I’m sure if they’d known everything they’d have done things differently.

What about us? We have the privilege of looking back. Can we prepare spiritually for celebrating Messiah? Among the lights and decorations can we find time to focus on the light of the world? While we enjoy all the holiday treats, can we remember to celebrate the eternal blessings of the babe in the manger?

Isaiah reminds us to prepare the way for Lord. He calls us to search our hearts for what we feel is important. He calls us to remove the idols of worry, doubt, desire and bitterness so we can experience the Hope of Ages, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Whether your tradition celebrates Advent or not, while you are hanging the lights and cooking all those Christmas goodies, don’t forget that Jesus is the reason for the season!