Preparing

‘As is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “A voice of one crying in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him’”.’ (Luke 3: 4)

Preparing, preparing, preparing....

I think I am almost there! Presents purchased, food ordered, wine selected... just some last minute cards to send, the presents to wrap (not my favourite task) and – of course – the dinner (or my part of it) to cook.

Oh, and then there are the services to conduct! But at least my preparation for these is pretty well advanced. So all good!

In almost every respect, this is a time of hectic and frantic preparation. In fact, there is so very much to prepare that we can be in danger of missing out on the most important preparation... the preparation to which the words of John the Baptist (quoting Isaiah) refer.

John was calling people to prepare the way of the Lord by turning their lives anew to God, receiving forgiveness for their sins and being alert to the coming of the One who was greater than him.

Turning our lives anew to God...

Receiving forgiveness for our sins...

Being alert to His coming....

These remain the means of preparing the way for His coming; for the celebrating of his coming as the Christ-Child, for the readiness to meet him when he comes again, and for the openness to discern him and greet him as he comes to us every day.

Prepare the way for the Lord!