“The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17

Preparation. The word makes me think of being completely ready. Ahead of schedule, no stress, set up for whatever is coming.

God asking us to be prepared has nothing to do with our readiness. As you will read this week, it is about things like willingness and openness.

From start to finish, no one involved with the Christmas story was prepared. Mary, Joseph, the innkeeper, the shepherd, the wise men. No one was prepared – but they were willing. They were obedient to what God asked of them.

We spend so much time preparing, and to what end? The season/event/circumstance ends and we are left with used napkins and an empty house.

Real preparation is listening, obeying, and following what God wants for us. This week as you read about preparation, consider to what God might be asking you to be willing or open. Remember the ways that God used unprepared and ill-equipped people to accomplish His purposes.

Allow yourself to slow down this Christmas season, remembering that preparation is more about being present than planning ahead. The only thing we have to prepare for is the coming of the King, and even that does not require cleaning your kitchen floors.

Prepare your hearts for the King. Make sure you have room for Him in your home. Don’t let the season pass you by without worshipping the risen Lord.

What would it look like to be prepared for Christ’s coming? If we looked at life this way, how would we live differently? I think we would be much more patient and loving with our families. We would have a different approach to the rush of holiday shopping. How will you allow your view of preparation to shift this season?