I glanced through some magazines and saw article after article warning about holiday stress and telling people how to prepare for Christmas. They gave the usual advice: Do your baking early; wrap your gifts as you purchase them; don't fill every minute with activity. These are good ideas, and I'm sure you've thought of some yourself. Personally, I like to shop through catalogs when I can.

The people who listened to John the Baptist had some preparing to do too. No, not for celebrating Christmas but for the start of Jesus' public ministry (Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1). John's mission was to prepare the way for the Messiah by preaching a message of repentance (Luke 3:3). In preparation for the Messiah's coming, the people were to cleanse their hearts by seeking God's forgiveness for their sins.

As we get ready to celebrate the coming of Jesus to earth, we too should heed John's message of repentance (Matthew 3:2). What's most important is to enter this season of the year with a pure heart. To do that, we need to confess our sin, turn from it, and renew our fellowship with the Lord. Then we'll be able to celebrate the Christmas season with great joy and peace.

That's how to get ready for Christmas.
  — David C. Egner