As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way. A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight! Mark 1:2–3 (CSB)
As we begin the Advent season, many preparations are underway. There are presents to be purchased, lights to be hung, trees to be trimmed, and so much more. Although there is a popular song that declares “it’s the most wonderful time of the year,” it could also be said that it is the busiest time of the year.
Forgetting for a moment that we will see articles and news features warning about the stress of the holiday season, it can be easy to forget the most important ways to prepare for the coming of the Christ Child.
There is nothing wrong with all the tasks necessary in anticipation of the arrival of friends and family. In fact, it’s good to be hospitable and generous. It’s almost become a cliché to say, “Jesus Is the Reason for the Season,” but whether intentional, or unintentional, Jesus often is overlooked while we are making our preparations for everything else.
Get Ready
Blessed will be those servants the master finds alert when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will get ready, have them recline at the table, then come and serve them. Luke 12:37 (CSB)
Until recent years, I did not give much consideration or thought to Advent. Growing up in Pentecost, the liturgies of the church were thought to be “religious.” I associated Advent with Catholics, Lutherans, and others who held to traditional ritual.
When I looked a little deeper, I learned that advent is a period of preparation. It is viewed both as a preparation for the celebration of Jesus birth, but also as a period of looking forward to his Second Coming.
When thinking about preparation at this time of year, we are likely to want to separate practical matters from spiritual. Of course, practical means all of the external, dare I say superficial, aspects of the Christmas season. These are the things that are visible to everyone. After all, if the dinner is served, and the presents are under the tree, we can say, “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”
Our friends and family may not notice whether or not our hearts and our minds are ready to welcome our Savior, but it is certainly what matters to him. The contrast is between Mary and Martha. While Mary sat attentively at Jesus’s feet, Martha was concerned about “practical” matters. There is a time and a place for the “practical” aspects of life, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of forgetting what is most important. There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42 (NLT)
Go Tell It on the Mountain (And Everywhere Else)
Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. 1 Peter 3:15 (MSG)
Traditions can be good and enjoyable, but they can also be a distraction. While some of our cherished traditions have questionable origins, it doesn’t need to be a cause for concern. Remember: Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Titus 1:15 (NLT)
Notwithstanding, we must find a way to cut through the static and the noise to tell others why our hope is in Jesus. Readiness requires preparation, and preparation requires time. However, the Christmas season presents more distractions than any other time of the year, but it is also a time primed to tell the story of Jesus.
Advent is a time of joyous celebration, but not for everyone. There is the pressure to spend more than they have. There are the lonely; those who have alienated everyone in their lives, for those who cannot connect with others.
With these things in mind, as our hearts are at attention, and we worship at the feet of Jesus, we must remain alert and look for opportunities to tell people about the hope that we have in Christ: Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it! Colossians 1:27 (TPT)
He Is Coming Again
He who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20 (CSB)
Traditionally, Advent is also a time when God’s people are looking forward to his promised return. We believe that Jesus is coming again, but we do not know when. Nearly two thousand years ago, the apostle John said, “Children, it is the last hour.” Certainly, by now we must be in the last minute.
Advent is also a time to get ready. We get ready to celebrate his birth, and we get ready for his soon return. A number of years ago, when gathering with the staff and choir before a Sunday morning service we would often sing:
Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving, I'll be a living
Sanctuary for You
It should not matter whether we come from a background that emphasized Advent, or not. What is important is that we take the time to make proper preparations to celebrate the king who arrived in Bethlehem. At the same time, we look forward with glorious anticipation to his Second Coming. Amidst all of the preparations of the season, may our eyes remain firmly fixed on Jesus.
Steve Ekeroth
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch: