Every Heart Prepare
I’ve never been a Boy Scout, I’ve never been one for camping, my knots are mediocre at best, and if I get lost in the woods, you all better find me quick! But one thing I did learn from my friends who have been Scouts is the motto “Be Prepared”, which helps you to be ready for anything that might come your way.
We do our best to prepare for many situations in life: first dates, first day of school, job interviews, sports tryouts, and visiting family and friends. Not only is this a good and practical practice to keep up within our daily, physical lives, it’s especially important when it comes to our spiritual, eternal lives!
The Advent Season is a purposeful time of preparation and readiness. The word advent means “coming”, which builds up our anticipation of Jesus’ First Coming as Savior and Redeemer born in a manger, as well as His Second Coming as King and Judge. To over simplify this concept: the Holy, Almighty, Powerful, Gracious God of all creation is coming to you!
“Behold, your King is coming to you.” Matt. 21:5
So how do we prepare for His arrival? Vacuum the carpet, dust the house, pick up the kids’ toys, wash those dishes, bake the cookies, and cook a meal? That’s not necessary, though it might not hurt. God doesn’t care what the cleanliness of our houses are and how cluttered they may be, He doesn’t mind the pet hair on the couch or the mysterious objects hidden in the cushions. Rather, God is more concerned with preparing our hearts, minds, and souls; the real “manger” He desires to rest in, the real “home” He plans to dwell.
Advent is a time when God’s people prepare their hearts to remember, celebrate, and give thanks for God breaking into the messiness of this fallen world – taking upon Himself human flesh, becoming a man, and being born of a virgin – all in order to fulfill the long-awaited promise of a Savior.
During these next few weeks, we will be comparing the ways in which we prepare our homes for the holidays in order to better help us prepare our hearts for Jesus’ arrival! Just as we decorate our homes with evergreens (the eternal life Jesus brings into a decaying world), colorful lights and candles (the light of Christ that shines in the darkness), wrapped presents (God’s gift of a Savior wrapped in swaddling cloths), and that beautiful nativity crèche (the scene of God entering into human history and making His home with us), they serve as reminders of the joy, peace, and love we receive Jesus Christ, who comes to save us from sin, to redeem us from the devil, and to restore all of life from death!
“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming.” Matt. 24:42a
In His Service,
Pastor Andy Noble