she will give birth to a son

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” [Matthew 1:21]

This is the time for preparation. When you hear the word “preparation,” what is it that you think about? Do you think about all the tasks you have to prepare for, such as cooking a Thanksgiving meal, or preparing for a work-related presentation? How do you think about your tasks? Do you prepare your mind for the day by starting it out in prayer and time with God, or do you jump into tasks head-on and try and control them yourself?

What does it mean to prepare you heart for the Lord? Do you prepare you heart for the taking of the bread and wine? Do you pause and ask God to prepare you heart, examining yourself and asking God to take away the wrongs (the sins) you have done towards him, others, and even yourself.

When we prepare our hearts we deny ourselves and ask that God take the lead.

86% of the population claims to be Christian, but half do not know who preached the Sermon on the Mount. A quarter of that group could not give an answer as to why they celebrate Easter.

This statistic was heart-wrenching. But…

The Sermon on the Mount and the Easter celebration are Biblical events that most Christians should be able to explain. However, it’s also easy to get caught up in knowledge as the priority of our faith. Christians should know certain Biblical stories, but knowledge isn’t what it’s all about.

As Christians we can’t know everything. As Oswald Chambers expresses in My Utmost for His Highest: “Today [Jesus] is being portrayed as the figurehead of a religion—a mere example. He is that, but He is infinitely more. He is salvation itself; He is the gospel of God!” Does your heart shout this? Does your heart want to express this more than anything in your life?

Jesus quotes Isaiah, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” [Matthew 15:8]

Prepare you hearts. This Christmas season, develop your relationship with the person of Christ, and get to know who he really is and what he has truly done for you.

“For the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” Matthew 12:34 Let our hearts overflow with the love of Christ. That Love, the Love we have in him, let us share that love with all our neighbors.