“And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power
of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the
disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for
the Lord” (Luke 1:17;
NIV).
Advent is a
season of preparation. The Baptizer’s message (“Prepare the way for the Lord!”)
makes sure that we don’t miss that.
Frankly,
the world around us reinforces that it’s a season of preparation, too. Is the
Christmas shopping done? Have you got the cards addressed yet? How’s the baking
coming? Parties planned? Decorations up? Yes, there are a hundred things to
prepare for to celebrate Christmas.
Somehow, I
don’t think the Baptizer was talking about Christmas preparations, though. He
was talking about human hearts. He was talking about repentance over sin. He
was talking about the Holy Spirit breaking down the idols that we have erected
deep inside our own hearts and leaving us bare for the renewal that He would
work because of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
So, by all
means, get your Christmas preparations done (for the Stowes, we’re in good
shape). But don’t forget to prepare your hearts, as well, to make God’s Word in
church and in devotion a little higher priority in your life, to spend some
time on reflection and repentance, and to ask the question, “I may be ready for
my Christmas company, but would I truly be ready to receive my Lord today?”
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