[T]he word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” Luke 3: 2b-6
Are you ready for Christmas?
We’ll hear that question many times during the next few weeks. It will be referring to our preparedness, not for the coming of Christ, but for the holiday. And it won’t be heard from a voice crying out in the wilderness, but from a cacophony of voices in the wilderness of the hustle and bustle, long lines, and traffic jams that the Holiday Season has become.
Are you ready for Christmas—do you have your tree and decorations up?
Are you ready for Christmas—is your shopping done?
Are you ready for Christmas—how is your baking coming along?
Are you ready for Christmas—are your travel arrangements made?
Of course, this is not the kind of preparedness that the prophet Isaiah or John the Baptist talked about. They were speaking of the one who would radically change the world so that everyone could experience God’s salvation.
How can we be spiritually prepared for salvation? By repenting—making a commitment to turn away from our selfish lives and commit ourselves to God. Repentance does not earn our salvation, but it prepares our hearts to receive God’s gift of grace and helps us to lead a new life focused on loving God and neighbor.
As we prepare for Christmas—the Holiday Season—perhaps we should take time to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus by recommitting our lives in service and discipleship.
Are you ready for Christmas?
Jeff Taylor
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