Preparations.

In addition to an angelic focus, this week is all about preparations. Preparing the way, preparing our selves, preparing the church and world to recieve the Baby. My mind has been spinning on this stuff all week -- what am I doing to prepare for Christmas? At my house, I don't do a whole lot. I usually bake some cookies on a Friday w/ the kids; I'll put up the tree and lights on the house; I'll do my shopping on the side so my lovely wife has no idea what she's getting or when I've been out. And I usually try to get my mind into a place that ponders what the season is about, and the ultimate reason why we celebrate. That is the hard part sometimes...

I saw the Nativity movie last night. Driving home, I got to thinking about Mary and Joseph. What did they have to do to prepare themselves for the birth of Jesus? Not only were they not married, but it wasn't 'their' child, and the Baby was God. I remember trying to prepare ourselves for the birth of our own children -- there was always something last minute that I most likely forgot to do or put off. And the time leading up to the actual birth -- wondering, hoping, praying about the delivery, the health, what would this child be, who would they be...all those things and so much more. Now imagine in addition to all this, oh yeah, the Baby is the Savior of the world, the gift given by God for all mankind. And He's going to be born surrounded by strangers and livestock. No pressure!

Seeing the film really put a cool spin on the season for me this year -- it touched me as a dad, and as a guy who loves Jesus. I think I'll spend some time with this story this year -- more than I usually do -- and see what it does in terms of preparing me to receive the gift...

Read the story with the fam. Who do you each 'relate' to? Find yourself drawn to? If the kids are little, ask what they think is funny or fun about the story! What do they like?

Scripture: Luke 1-2:20; Matthew 1:18-2:23