Listen

Look, I am sending my messenger who will clear the path before me; suddenly the Lord whom you are seeking will come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you take delight is coming, says the Lord of heavenly forces.

Malachi 3:1

Think

When I was ten, I was allowed to cook. I started by making scrambled eggs from a kids’ cookbook for my family’s breakfast. I read through the recipe, gathered the ingredients, and began to prepare the dish. I was so confident and pleased as I placed the plates of food in front of my parents. They excitedly took a big bite, and immediately I knew something was wrong. “How much salt did the recipe ask for?” my father asked. It turns out, instead of ¼ teaspoon, I had taken a whole teaspoon. I was mortified, but my parents offered to help me start again, this time paying closer attention to my preparation.

Preparation is important. If we aren’t prepared, we miss something. Advent is a reminder to us to prepare, to clear the path for Christ to be welcomed into our world.

How might preparing for Christmas be connected to how the Spirit is preparing you to renew your understanding of Christ’s light in your life?

Amy Kim Kyremes-Parks

Pray

Holy God who gives my life flavor, may I prepare for Christ’s coming, mindful of my constant movement, sometimes rushing through it all. Calm my mind and heart as I follow the star. Amen.

Go

Breath of heaven,
Hold me together,
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy.

from “Breath of Heaven” by Amy Grant & Chris Eaton (1992)