061210 Steeple Article - Active and Passive Preparation for the Christ Child

God prepared the Israelites of old and the people of our time with the expectation of the chosen Messiah. To us a child is born, to us a son is given. . . . And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). We will be singing that passage on the 19th of this month at the 7 pm Messiah Sing Along in preparation for Christmas the following Monday. By then we should have completed decorating our Christmas trees and wrapped some of our presents to loved ones. Christmas is full of endless preparations before experiencing seemingly short-lived celebrations. Much of the excitement and animation is in the preparation and expectation. With all the turnkey ready-made instant products available for gift giving, it’s amazing that there isn’t a big market for Christmas trees already decorated, where all you need do is plug the lights into an outlet, and the tree would be ready.
Perhaps that hasn’t happened because we can still remember the strange and difficult work ahead for Mary and Joseph after the angels’ visits. They had much to contend with after opening their hearts for the Lord’s bidding. Mary may have carefully prepared soft clothes for the newborn baby and Joseph would have constructed a cradle. They had to deal with the doubtful and judgmental reactions of family and friends, because of Mary’s conception during betrothal to Joseph. And yet this couple represented all the people of God who had been waiting centuries for the joyful arrival of the Messiah.
Now, we tend to want everything instantly. But, truly preparation for Christmas comes when we take the time to prepare in our hearts to receive the Christ Child.
One way I prepare my heart for the Lord is by singing and making music. But did you know that our music and song is only a reflection of God’s song about you and me? The Lord will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing (Zephaniah 3:17).
If it is difficult to remember and believe in your heart that God loves you just has you are without a lot of preparation, just listen to the words, music, stories, plays and other events of this season. Then there should be no doubt that God loves you anyway. The Holy Spirit keeps giving us the message that each one of us is loved.
The prophet Zephaniah pictured God looking down and singing about you. God sings about the joy of creating you, not about all the things you have made, bought, possessed or done. God' sings for joy, because you are His creation. God takes delight in you and me.
Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me when, in the rush of the season, I fail to open my heart and prepare a place for Your son, Jesus Christ. Help me to prepare space in my life to welcome Christ. Help me to slow down and take time to worship You. Thank You for being my God of joy. Forgive me when I forget the most important gift of all -- Your unconditional love. Help me to remember that You love me so much that You sing about me. You take delight in me, even when I feel unworthy of love. Let Your laughter and song reign over me so that I may sing for You, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.