Have You Prepared a Place for Him?

I spent the biggest part of day one of December thinking about what's coming in these next 24 days, and instead of feeling overwhelmed with a list of things to do, events to attend, gifts still to buy and wrap and deliver, I felt this uncharacteristic sense of peace and hope. I caught myself staring at the glow of the Christmas tree throughout the day and reminding myself to do whatever it takes to not lose focus this year. 

It's so easy to do, to get caught up in the lists and the "need tos" and the "have tos" and the "I shoulds." I imagine that's what it must have been like when the people gathered in Bethlehem to pay their taxes. With so much to do on their visit to the city, so much to experience, trades to make, things to see, family and friends to visit, and, of course, taxes to pay, they weren't even aware that right there in the midst of them in a meager stable, the King of Kings made His debut. A brilliant new star appeared in the sky; hosts of angels broadcast His arrival; shepherds with their flocks came to worship, and yet, the overflowing population of the city was completely unaware that the One who would reconcile God and man had entered their broken world. 

So last night, as I was staring at the glow of the tree that was almost mesmerizing, I heard Him beckon me, to stop the planning, to stop the fretting, and to let my heart remind my head that this season isn't about buying the "perfect" gifts, about attending all of the events, about decorating houses and yards. It isn't about finding the best sales, and it isn't even about seeing all my friends and family and making the best of memories. It's about celebrating the King of Kings, the Perfect One who chose to come into my world of brokenness, knowing that He would be rejected, wounded, broken, and crucified. Yet, He chose to come anyway. This season is about preparing a place for Him and about helping others prepare a place for Him in the middle of their brokenness. What better gift can I offer than the gift of Jesus, the One who came and the One who is coming again?