Hi everyone,

 

                It’s hard to believe that we are already in December. Christmas is only a few weeks away and then we are jumping into 2023. Before we end this year, I wanted to take the next few weeks and share a few thoughts as we prepare for Christmas.

 

                Today, I want to ask if you are ready for Christmas. Now, I know that may stir up different thoughts for each one of you.

 

                Maybe for you “ready for Christmas” means the gifts are bought and the cards are all written. Maybe it means that the food is all planned and prepared, the baking is all done, and the beds are all made for the guests that will be coming to visit. Maybe it means making sure there is enough money to cover all the extra expenses that Christmas brings. Or maybe it means that your calendar has been maxed out with all the events that you have to attend.

 

                Once your check list is done, you feel ready for Christmas.

 

                Often times, that can translate into not being ready for Christmas at all.

 

                No one was ready for the first Christmas. Mary and Joseph weren’t ready to have a baby in a manger. The shepherds weren’t ready to receive the heavenly message from the angels. The innkeeper wasn’t ready for the mass influx of people.

 

                So, do we want to be ready or not? I think there are ways that we can ready our hearts this year for Christmas. It’s going to require a few things though.

 

                It’s going to require time so that you can ponder the true meaning of Christmas in your heart, just like Mary did. I would encourage you to carve out that time in any way you can. Take a longer drive home from work. Watch a few less episodes on Netflix and devote that time to reading Matthew 1 & 2 and Luke 1 & 2. Create the space to get ready for Christmas.

 

                It’s also going to require quiet. There is lots of noise and chaos this time of year and you’ve got to find ways to turn down the volume of the world so that you can turn up the volume of the Spirit. He longs to speak to you. He longs to confirm the love of Jesus into your heart.

 

                Finally, it’s going to require reflection. And by that, I mean reflecting the way a mirror reflects. It means that we meditate on the true meaning of Christmas and then let that meaning shine through in our lives. We model love, joy and peace in all that we do. We share generously. We treat others with love.

 

                That’s how we really get ready for Christmas. May you enjoy the readiness that Jesus wants for you this season.

 

                This weekend will be the second part in our series “True and Better”. I will be preaching on the character of Joseph and how he foreshadowed Jesus.

 

                I hope you can join us in person or online this Sunday.

 

                Have a great weekend.

 

                I love being your pastor.

 

Pastor Tim