Get ready!


 

The holidays are such a wonderful time of the year. This year more than most people are making all kinds of preparations for family and friends. Decorations have to be put up. The fine dishes come out. Recipes are poured over and the pantry is stocked with everything needed for the perfect meal. Tables are spread in splendor as every detail is gone over. Everything has to be perfect for our guests and family. Once everything is ready we wait for our first guests to arrive. The anticipation is delightful.


Advent is a time of preparation, anticipation, and waiting. We are preparing our hearts for an encounter with God himself. Everything must be made ready. Our hearts must be examined to make sure all is in order. No cobwebs of unforgiveness, or dust bunnies of bitterness. All must be swept out and made clean. An examination is performed to make sure there is nothing that would grieve my special guest. Every nook and cranny is inspected, nothing is overlooked. We prepare our spiritual house to welcome our dearest friend.


The promised visitation came so unexpectedly that first Christmas morn. He came in a way that caught many by surprise except, that is, for those who had made themselves ready for his coming. They had waited faithfully with great anticipation. They were not disappointed. Their hearts exploded with overwhelming joy at his coming! 


Today we wait once more for he comes a second time, not as a helpless child born in a stable but as a groom coming for his bride. This is a time of reflection and preparation. There is so much to do and so little time to do it. Time’s a wasting. Spare no expense and get everything ready to meet the lover of our souls. He will come in a manner and at a time when least expected, but will not surprise the ones who are looking with great anticipation for his arrival. Go make yourself ready!

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