Are You Ready?

            It’s Christmas eve. Are you ready?

            Do you have all the presents wrapped, the menu planned and the house cleaned for those family members who will celebrate Christmas with you?

            If not, you are not alone.  I still have a couple of unwrapped gifts, some dinner preparation and my home still needs to be spruced up. I love Christmas but it is a lot of work isn’t it?

            Putting all that aside, It’s Christmas eve.  Are you ready?

            Simeon was ready.

            Simeon was a righteous and devout man.  He was told by the Holy Spirit Christmas was coming and that he would not die before he saw the Messiah. Moved by the Holy Spirit, he went to the temple courts where Mary and Joseph were with baby Jesus.  When he saw the Christ child he took the baby in his arms and praised God saying,

            Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismissyour servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:  a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

            Anna was ready.

            Anna was a prophetess who worshipped in the temple day and night, praying and fasting.  She had been preparing for Christmas for a long time.  When she saw the Christ child, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

            Both Anna and Simeon were looking for Jesus.

            When they saw Him, they knew Him and they worshiped Him.

            Are you looking for Jesus this Christmas?

            I don’t know about you, but I don’t want it to be just about the presents, the menu and the clean house. I want to see Him this week.  Whether, it’s at the Christmas eve service tonight, in our family gathering tomorrow or in my quiet time.  I’m ready to experience Christmas. I’m waiting for that and I want to know it when it arrives, just like Simeon and Anna.

            Do you want to see Jesus this Christmas? If so, will you join me in a prayer of preparation?  The Christ child is coming. Let’s get ready.

            Dear Lord, we have been waiting for this day and have been busily preparing. But amidst the preparations, we don’t want to miss you as we celebrate your birthday. Reveal yourself to us. Make us aware of your presence and enable us to worship you in a fresh, new way this Christmas. We want to be ready for you. We praise you that there is a Christmas and for what it means to each of us for eternity. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.