Prepare The Way

Devotion

“He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

— Luke 1:16-17

What John the Baptist did for Israel, Advent can do for us. Don’t let Christmas find you unprepared. I mean spiritually unprepared. Its joy and impact will be so much greater if you are ready!

So, that you might be prepared . . .

First, meditate on the fact that we need a Savior. Christmas is an indictment before it becomes a delight. “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). If you don’t need a Savior, you don’t need Christmas. Christmas will not have its intended effect until we feel desperately the need for a Savior. Let these short Advent meditations help awaken in you a bittersweet sense of need for the Savior.

Second, engage in sober self-examination. Advent is to Christmas what Lent is to Easter. “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23–24). Let every heart prepare him room . . . by cleaning house.

Third, build God-centered anticipation and expectancy and excitement into your home — especially for the children. If you are excited about Christ, they will be too. If you can only make Christmas exciting with material things, how will the children get a thirst for God? Bend the efforts of your imagination to make the wonder of the King’s arrival visible for the children.

Fourth, be much in the Scriptures, and memorize the great passages! “Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:29)! Gather ’round that fire this Advent season. It is warm. It is sparkling with colors of grace. It is healing for a thousand hurts. It is light for dark nights.

Prayer

“The prophets spoke of the grace that was to come to you… Angels long to look into these things”

— 1 Peter 1:10-11

Waiting for Peace

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isa. 9:2). Heavenly Father, the season of Advent reminds us you have hard-wired us with hope. We deeply crave good things—grace-gifts only you can provide. On this Monday, we acknowledge how much we long for peace. The darkness of our world in 2020, and the darkness in our own hearts, have intensified this craving.

The dawn of the darkness-dispelling light began with a star appearing to shepherds on a hill. For them, and “for all the people,” good news of great joy was proclaimed. With the birth of Jesus, the gift of your permanent favor arrived, bringing peace on earth, and peace in us. Hallelujah!

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). Everything we need and want—the Jesus-shaped hope in our hearts, is being filled with the richness of your truth and grace.

We have peace with you now, because of Jesus. And we will enjoy the fullness of peace on earth at his return, because “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this” (Isa. 9:7). Hallelujah, and so very amen we pray, in Jesus’ most glorious name.