This morning I prepared quick breads for a gift. I carefully
measured the ingredients and selected fresh cranberries and an apple and
chopped them into to the perfect size chunks. After baking, I placed the loaves in a basket that I had decorated for the occasion.
We prepare meals for our families, making sure each element
of the meal is properly seasoned and cooked. And this time of year, we prepare
our homes for the holiday season with attention to detail in our decorating. No
room is overlooked, and each is duly cleaned and prepared for decoration.
Have you given some thought to what we are preparing for? We
may be thinking of holiday visitors in our homes when we dust each nook and
cranny, placing our evergreens and treasured decorations just so.
But have we thought about preparing our hearts for the
holiday? The season of Advent in the Christian tradition means to prepare for
the coming of the Christ. We celebrate the miraculous birth of God’s own Son
born into human flesh. The preparation we need to focus on is preparing
ourselves to receive this extraordinary gift.
Retelling the story of Jesus’ birth brings a dimension of
expectancy to the Christmas season. Think of Mary, laden with child, traveling far
distances by donkey only to be turned out from a warm bed to a cold stable, bringing forth her firstborn son in a humble animal shelter. Surely the birth
of the Son of God deserved greater fanfare than mooing cows and clucking
chickens.
But in His humble beginnings, God shows us that greatness
can be born amongst the least of us. God uses each of us, according to His
purpose, to further His Kingdom here on earth. Whether we are rich or poor,
lowly and meek or born to greatness, we each have purpose in the Kingdom of
heaven. And that heaven is right here on earth, right now.
So we prepare our hearts and our homes for the joy of the
coming of the Christ child, knowing it isn’t the decorations we place that
welcome the child, but a warm and loving heart that embraces all of God’s
people right where they are. Give to the needy, pray for the grieving, and open
your heart to the One who can bring us peace here on earth. It’s His birthday
we’re celebrating. The greatest gift we have ever received.
With grateful thanks we prepare to receive the joy of
knowing Christ in our lives as we celebrate with loved ones in the season of
giving. May you know His love and peace.
Easter Sunday
