by Victoria Heinecke

Getting ready for the season.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
Isaiah 40:3 English Standard Version (ESV)

“So, are you all ready for Christmas?”

I hear this question frequently during this season.

I am a musician. It’s December. Tight schedules, extra rehearsals, and special engagements are the norm in a musician’s December. We’re invited to perform Christmas carols at retail locations and senior centers. Two of my ensembles have performed for a special, which will be aired on local television on Christmas Day. There’s an abundance of concerts to attend. It’s delightful to see our friends perform, and offering music to bring cheer to a community is heartwarming. It can be hectic at times, but when music is a passion the joy in giving outweighs the chaos every year.

One casualty of our schedule is the material preparations for Christmas. If it doesn’t get done before Thanksgiving, it’s not likely to be done at all. We put up our tree last weekend, and the lights on the bottom section of the tree have failed. Decorating is on hold, but in a moment of humor I topped the tree with the Viking hat I got from the Warrior Dash 5K. Hey, it’s red, and the tree is green. We’re ready for Christmas.

We observe Advent to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ Child. The prophet Isaiah encourages us to prepare for His coming, and John the Baptist tells us to repent of our human failings because the Kingdom of God is near.

When I think of preparing my heart for Christ, I think of my heart as a soft bed for the infant Jesus to rest his head. It’s cozy and warm.

That softness manifests in the kindness we hold for others this time of year. Gift giving, year-end donations to charity, and remembering those less fortunate are hallmark activities in December.

When we extend our kindness and talents beyond Christmas, that’s when Jesus’ love is especially manifested to those around us. Let us remember to keep Christmas in our hearts throughout the year, so that we are prepared to share the gift of eternal salvation in Jesus.

“We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 4:19 ESV

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Colorado Springs, Colorado