There are several words that are used a lot this time of year. For instance, sales, shopping, Christmas cards, Christmas gifts. Another word one hears a lot is "turkey" as in turkey soup, turkey sandwich, turkey suprise, and of course, "turkey again?".

A word that surfaces often at this time of year is prepare, as in a song we sang last Sunday, "Prepare the way of the Lord." It's an important word now, this idea of preparation.

The significance of something is related to the amount of preparation necessary for the task--the amount of preparation one is willing to give. Preparation can be tough going--or easy, depending on the worth of what is prepared for. Cases in point: Remember the tests that you often had in school, especially those classes in which you wanted to do well? Preparation took a bit of time and effort, didn't it? How about the dating scene in high school, or especially that high school prom event? Probably no small amount of preparation involved--correctly tying that tie or putting on make-up (boy, that was a tough process for me, personally) was no small matter. Exquisite attention was paid to the tiniest detail, because everything had to be perfect. If you cared. If doing well was important. If making a good impression meant anything. Preparation is something that is an everyday experience in life, and in life's work. Everything of consequence requires preparation.

Christmas is something of consequence! In this Christian Season of Advent, we live in a time of preparation. Christmas and the birth of our Savior will soon be remembered and celebrated. And it needs to be prepared for. Here are some thoughts to ponder and meditate upon as we prepare for Christmas:

God can present a Savior to the world in any way that God wants. What is the significance of Jesus' humanity and humble social station and birth? What is the significance for you?

The coming of a Savior seems to be aniticipated, predicted, longed for...And for quite a long period of time. There are no small number of passages in the Old Testament that speak of it, albeit in somewhat sketchy and poetic ways. They knew that something was up, that God was going to do a great thing. How did the ancients know of His coming? Why is it important that they did know?

The Bible is, among other things, a history of God's dealing with Israel, of God's salvation at work in history. God was already working in the lives of God's people. Why was the coming of Jesus necessary to God's work of salvation? Why is the coming of Jesus as a baby at Christmas important to your salvation?

There are so many questions that could be asked. Pondering these alone will lead you to others. Meditate upon these things, and give thanks to God for the wondrous revelations of Christmas.

As you look forward to this beautiful season, as you prepare for Christmas, let not the busy-ness of the season keep you from worship. Even if you have been away for awhile, join us now in church and be part of this great adventure of Jesus' coming. Don't put it off until Christmas Eve. Come this Sunday. Join with us all as we together prepare for the coming of our Lord.

God's grace and peace to you all,

Pastor David