It’s that time again – time to prepare ourselves for the Christmas season. It’s time to deck the halls, wrap the gifts and bake the cookies. Some of us started this weekend to get a jump on it and enjoy the season for longer. Others will prefer to wait on the festivities and preparations when the last-minute sales are there. On the secular calendar, this was the biggest weekend of the year’s largest shopping season. On the church calendar, yesterday began Advent, with all its special music, sermons and programs.
But, please, before you board the “holiday train” for the next month – for Christ’s sake and for your own – slow down! Start each day at the station enjoying, savoring and extoling the excellencies of Jesus, the One whose birth we celebrate. Prepare your heart for the trip ahead, because it can so easily be derailed by the urgent. Plan each day’s ride with prayerful consideration and worship. Read through today’s Scriptures often, deliberately and thoughtfully. And wonder anew at the glories of Christ – God with us!