“Are you ready for Christmas?” I usually contrive some vague answer to that question to cover up my inadequacy. Actually, my Christmas preparations are meager. No family gifts to wrap, no cookies to bake, and I don’t send cards. (I do put up a tree though!)
In fact, an increasing number of people focus on shopping, food, decorations, gifts, and parties instead of the true reason for the season, the birth of Jesus.
Pew Research reports 90% of Americans say they celebrate Christmas, but only 46% celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, down from 51% in 2013.
So, when asked “are you ready for Christmas,” will you declare “I am preparing my heart for Christmas?”
How do you prepare your heart for Christmas? Start by inviting Christ to Christmas. What if you planned a birthday party and did not invite the guest of honor? Then why do we celebrate Christmas but neglect inviting Jesus?
Unwrap your gifts from God to prepare your heart for Christmas
God’s gifts are superior to any other gifts imaginable.
Gift of hope
We hope for many things such as success, health, a long life, and safety for our families. However, worldly hope does not last, but divine hope lasts forever. Because divine hope is based on God’s gift of His Son, Jesus.
The lyrics of an old hymn echo in my mind.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name
On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
God’s gift of His Son restored our relationship with God so we can have eternal life. The Bible says, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time” (1 Timothy 2:5-6 NIV).
Build your hope on the rock of Jesus and His Word, instead of worldly hope that shifts like sinking sand.
Gift of rest
Rest during the holiday season is a precious commodity. So much to do and not enough hours in the day to get it all done!
However, God gives us the gift of rest. In the Bible, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV).
Take a break from holiday preparations, spend time with Jesus, and accept His gift of rest.
Gift of peace
The angels welcomed the Baby Jesus and declared Him to be God’s gift of peace on earth (Luke 2:14).
Do we rely on our human leaders and government for peace on earth? Or do we depend on God?
Isaiah 9:6 calls Jesus “the Prince of Peace.” Lean on Jesus to find everlasting peace, instead of the world’s uncertain peace.
Gift of love
God’s most precious gift to the world is His Son. He gave us His Son because of His love for us. The final sacrifice, an unblemished Lamb of God, for the forgiveness of our sin.
Celebrate the season of Advent to prepare your heart for Christmas
The word advent means “the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.”
Advent symbolizes our expectant waiting for the second coming of Jesus, when He will establish His eternal kingdom. Traditionally, we celebrate on December 1-24 or each Sunday before Christmas.
Each Sunday of Advent has a designated theme:
- Week 1: Hope (or promise)
- Week 2: Preparation (or waiting or prophecy)
- Week 3: Joy (or peace)
- Week 4: Love (or adoration)
As you prepare your heart for Christmas by looking back at the birth of Jesus, consider the future joy we will experience when Jesus comes to earth again.
How do we celebrate Advent?
Read the Bible
The YouVersion app has many great Advent reading plans. Download the app on IOS, Android, or bible.com
There are many other sources of Advent readings online, such as the one on Crosswalk. In fact, right now they are giving away 25 Advent Readings For Christmas.
Pray
Set aside time from the busyness of the season to pray in thanksgiving for God’s gifts of hope, rest, peace, and love. In addition, ask God to open your heart to His greatest gift of all, Jesus.
Finally, pray for believers all over the world as we wait for the glorious day of Christ’s return to earth. The Bible says, “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: ‘The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15 NLT).
What would change in our lives, our families, and our world, if we prepared our hearts and invited Jesus to Christmas?
Just read your blog , and reality hit home . I need to stop fretting about whether or not my presents to the grandchildren were enough , or needing to decorate my home more , and think about the true meaning of Christmas , Jesus’s birthday . It is a religious holiday , and I need to dwell on the love God has for me , and not on materialistic things . Thanks for the awakening Sue.
Thank you for your honesty Mare. It is so easy to get consumed with all the holiday hustle and bustle not to mention the comparison trap. I’m glad this post made you think about the true meaning of Christmas!