Ready for Christmas?

It seems that everywhere we go this time of year people ask the same question, “Are you ready for  Christmas?” Generally, people are referring to the  idea of the tree being decorated, lights on the house, Christmas gifts wrapped and under the tree, and the menu set for Christmas Day.

When asked that question, maybe we should revise  it to say, “Are we ready for Christ?”  Before the ministry of Jesus began, John the Baptist was sent by God to get the people ready to meet Jesus:

In those days, John the Baptist came preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."  This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

"A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord; make straight paths for him.'"…"People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.  Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River" (Matthew 3:1-3, 5-6).

Christmas is next week and there is lots to do, but nothing is more important than getting our heart prepared for the Messiah. This poem by an unknown author asks  “Are we really ready for Christmas?”

Author unknown

" Ready for Christmas," she said with a sigh,
As she gave a last touch to the gifts piled high.
Then wearily she sat for a moment and read,
Till soon, very soon, she was nodding her head.
Then quietly spoke a voice in her dream!
"Ready for Christmas! What do you mean?
I seem to remember that only last week,
You wouldn't acknowledge your friend on the street.

"Ready for Christmas, while holding a grudge?
Perhaps you'd better let God be the judge.
Why, how can the Christ child come and abide
In a heart that is selfish and still filled with pride?
Ready for Christmas, when only today
A beggar lad came and you turned him away
Without even a smile to show that you cared?
So little he asked, which you could have spared.

"Ready for Christmas! You've worked, it is true,
But just doing the things that you wanted to do.
Ready for Christmas! Your circle's too small.
Why, you are not ready for Christmas at all!"
She awoke with a start, and a cry of despair,
"There's so little time, and I've still to prepare!
Oh, Father, forgive me. I see what you mean:
To be ready means more than a house swept clean.

"Yes, more than the giving of gifts and a tree.
It's the heart swept clean that He wants to see,
A heart that is free from bitterness, sin--
Ready for Christmas means ready for Him.