Are you ready?

I jokingly said to one of the peeps in my village yesterday that if I punted any more of my ‘to do’ list to January it would end up being even more crazy than December.  The comment stopped me dead in my own tracks.

How did I let myself get so busy? Again.

Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalm 46:10

Be still.

Be still.

Be still.

As I look around, there is not much that is still in this world.  The world tells us ‘we need a little Christmas, right this very minute,’ and we do it up right with Santa, reindeers, trees, parties, pageants, gifts, cards, lights, wreaths, snowmen, ice skating, poinsettias, candy canes, elves, hot chocolate, silver bells, bows, candles…

And we are far from still with all the shopping, caroling, wrapping, surprising, hiding, decorating, lighting, cooking, eating, drinking, singing, traveling, giving, sharing, helping, hoping, crying, laughing, loving…

So, are you ready?

I guess it depends on what you are preparing for? Are you preparing for Christmas?  Or are you preparing for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

I can hardly ask you the question without answering it myself.  And the truth is I’m preparing for both.  I do not believe that abstaining from a worldly Christmas is what God is asking me to do.   It’s how I go about preparing for Christmas that is of concern to My Heavenly Father. God is asking me to prepare my heart not only for the celebration that reminds us of Christ’s birth, but more importantly the promise of His return.

Yes, my house is lit with white lights and the tree is decorated with ornaments, but I cannot afford to be distracted from the truth.

Christ came into this world on a still and dark night. Free from adornment. With absolutely no fanfare.  A prophesy fulfilled.  The gift God promised.

And, God promises He Will Come Again.

Behold, I am coming soon!

Behold, I am coming soon!

Yes, I am coming soon.

Amen, Come, Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22: 7, 12, 20

Are you ready?