Many of us have spent hours upon hours of preparation for Christmas. For me, it started right after Thanksgiving and has continued to this point. In fact, I began pulling out my Christmas fabrics several months ago with the plan to sew a few things for the holidays. Well, it never happened, at least not yet!
The house has been cleaned, the halls have been decked with boughs of holly – literally – the furniture is polished, the gifts have been purchased. All in anticipation of one singular event. Christmas. Literally, Christ’s Mass. A special day set aside to celebrate the Messiah or The Anointed One. Preparation indeed! I can think of no better thing to celebrate than Jesus!
But what about my heart? How much time, effort and concentration is placed on preparing my heart to seek out the word of God? Why do I celebrate Christmas? My home looks like it’s ready for something special. Am I?
As I ponder this thought I pray that my diligence in preparation for the return of Christ begins within. In Malachi 3:1, the coming of the Christ was foretold. The messenger, John the Baptist, was to prepare the way for the Messiah.
Malachi 3:1 Mal 3:1 "Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts.
It happened just like God said it would!
Lu 1:13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.
Lu 1:76 "And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS;
Joh 1:29 The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him, and *said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
So why the need for preparation if Jesus has already been born to this earth?
He will come again. It will happen just like God says!
Ac 5:31 "He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Mt 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Is the same effort, time and energy put into our preparation for the return of Christ? What a glorious day for those whose hearts have been diligently attended to.
Most of us have heard the term, ‘refiner’s fire’.
A refiner's fire does not consume completely like the fire of an incinerator. A refiner's fire refines. It purifies. It melts down the bar of silver or gold, separates out the impurities that ruin its value, burns them up, and leaves the silver and gold intact. desiringgod.org
The earth will be purified, the dross swept away, leaving only absolute holiness to stand before God.
Mal 3:3 "And He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.
Pr 17:3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests hearts.
Consider. When all the decorations are taken down, gifts have been opened, parties have been attended, friends and family have left, what remains, what are we left with? Does my heart continue in preparation for Jesus to come? Or is the ‘reason for the season’ put away in a box until the same time next year?
I pray hours and hours of preparation will continue to polish my heart as I yield to God’s refining fire from within. Let’s celebrate Jesus continually as we ready for His return! It will happen.
Lu 21:36 "But keep on the alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
Re 22:7 "And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book."
The most precious gift you can give to Jesus is your heart; the most valuable gift you can give to those you love is the Truth of the Gospel.
December 25th will come whether you are fully prepared or not; Jesus was born according to scripture, some were ready to receive Him, some were not; Christ will return again according to the scripture – is your heart prepared?
