Ponder: How Are You Preparing Your Heart This Advent In Preparation For Christmas?

Ponder: How are you preparing your heart this Advent in preparation for Christmas?

Scripture: 
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; 
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 

You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.

For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.

Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. 
-Isaiah 9:2-7

Karen's Thoughts: 

When I walked into our church's gathering area this past Sunday, everyone was connecting and discussing Thanksgiving and football. 

But, as I walked into the sanctuary, I felt like I left autumn behind and entered the Christmas season. The Christmas tree was up, Christmas music was sung, and the Advent wreath was set on the altar for all to see. 

To be honest, each year, I am a little caught off guard when December is here. (It just seems to come faster each year.) In a blink, life seems to go into warp speed. Like most, I have to be very intentional in pausing and remembering what this time of year is really about. So, I am grateful that we are given the time of Advent, a time I deeply appreciate and desperately need to prepare my heart, mind, and soul for the birth of my Savior. 

In this season of Advent, I am:

1. I am rereading The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas by Ann Voskamp. As I read this book, I am focusing on how our God is a promise-keeping God.

2. I am immersing myself in Christmas music. Praise music is such a wonderful way for me to worship and feel connected to Jesus. 

3. Reading scripture daily, I love being reminded that the joy, hope, and peace I crave can only be found in and through Jesus. 

4. This last thing is a little different, but I am a very visual person and I felt called to do this. I went into my closet, shut the door, and blocked all the light. I imagined living in a world without Jesus, the Light of World. Then I turned on a flashlight and said a prayer of praise that Jesus broke into our dark and sinful world and brought light, love, hope, joy, and the promise of eternal life. 

Tom's Thoughts:   

This video is a great reminder of why Advent is the season of preparation for Christ entering our world. 

Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.