December 11, 2018

​Isaiah 40:3  A voice of one calling: In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord.
 
Not so long ago, I went through a period of dreading Christmas. The decorating, the shopping, the traveling, the inevitable sick child or children was almost too much for me. I thought: how happy Satan must be that I dread such a sacred event in Christianity. What an evil victory that the birth of the Messiah has become such a stressful, commercial spectacle.
 
Then one Sunday, one of my former ministers gave a sermon that brought me hope.  This is what he shared with me that began to change my attitude.  The story of Christmas is about the birth of a baby.  Advent is preparing for the birth of a baby.  The baby will come whether we are ready or not.  When a family is expecting a baby, they begin preparing. Despite all the decorating, shopping, planning and anticipating, is anyone ever truly ready?  The baby will come whether we are ready or not. Was the world ready for the birth of the Savior of humankind?  He came anyway. Christmas will come anyway, always. Hallelujah!
 
Luke 2:10-12  Do not be afraid. I bring you good tidings of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
 
Margaret Hennen-Smajstrla