Week of December 13, 2024
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth; 5 The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 40: 3-5, NKJV)
As Christmas approaches, the world around us is full of activity – shopping, decorating, preparing, and travel. But as a reminder, the true meaning of Christmas calls us to prepare in a much deeper way. This season is about the preparation of our hearts for the coming of Christ.
Isaiah speaks of preparing a highway for our God. It conveys the idea of removing obstacles to create a smooth path. Christmas is a time to examine our own lives and invite the Holy Spirit to smooth out the rough places so He can dwell more fully in our hearts.
The prophet tells us when this is accomplished, then the glory of the Lord will be revealed. Have you allowed the wonder of His glory to fill your life this season? Or has the busyness or maybe worldliness dimmed your vision of Him? This is why we must remove the obstacles of life to create a smooth path.
Finally, the prophet says the promise is to all the people. His birth is good news for the poor, brokenhearted, the weary, and the lost. Who in your life needs to hear the message of God’s love?
A prayer to prepare:
Lord Jesus, as we approach Christmas, help us to prepare our hearts for your coming. Remove the obstacles that hinder our relationship with You. May Your glory shine brightly and be revealed in us and through us, drawing other to You. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
God Bless, Pastor Rick