Living in the Midwest with a full four seasons, I fondly remember how the weather feels in the late part of the fall as we move from the Thanksgiving Holiday fully into the Christmas season. As a child when my friends and I would play football in the late autumn crispness, I remember coming home and seeing the windows steamed up from my mother cooking a Sunday meal. I also knew during that time of year we would soon be testing the lights for our Christmas tree and by that time we had already received our first card of the year from Uncle Evan. His card always came right after Thanksgiving Day. It was my job to put up the Christmas cards so I always looked forward to preparing our house for the season, so that I could work on that display. I would start to anticipate the joy of what for many children is their favorite time of the year.

The Apostle Paul in our passage of scripture is reminding us that “salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers.” (Rom. 13:11) He goes on to say “the night is far gone, the day is near.” That should be our focus during Advent, our celebration of the coming of the Christ child. The day of Jesus Christ coming as a child to bring salvation into the world should be the center of our focus during this season, and not the hustle and bustle that often dominates the period from the end of November up through December 24th.

The song writer says, “Let every heart prepare Him room.” So in the midst of all our preparations, hanging lights, shopping for gifts, holiday gatherings and meals, let us not forget to prepare to receive the greatest gift that God has given, the gift of salvation in God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Prayer

God, thank You that, unto us a child is born and a son is given and in the gift of that child You have shown us that You have not given up on us. God help us to remember that the season of Advent is our opportunity to prepare not just for a holiday season but to receive once again into our hearts, the gift of salvation.

Thought for the Day
As we prepare for the joy of the season, let us remember to put on Jesus Christ in the midst of all of our other preparations.