Are you Ready?

"Are you Ready?"

Three of the most used words at this time of the year. For those who celebrate Christmas this has a multitude of meanings. It often means "have you finished your shopping yet?" it may also mean "are you ready for the onslaught of family as they trickle or avalanche in?" It may also mean "do you have enough booze"? as for some this is is a season of excess, and not just drink, food too. I wonder how many third world families I could feed with the food I am preparing for my family over the 48 hours of Christmas eve and day? That's another post at another time.

As a Christ follower, I have to ask myself "am I ready to participate in the celebration of His birth"? How do you prepare for such an event? The obligatory Christmas carols are playing (with a little Charlie Brown slipped in for good measure, thanks goodness for Vince Guaraldi). The family (four of us) is home, just like the song says. The stockings will be hung by the chimney (with care). We will go to church Christmas eve to hear nice music and a short message (thanks Dan) and then retire for some traditional (for us) fare. But what does all this have to do being ready? Glad I asked. It has nothing to do with "being ready" as far as I am concerned.

Being ready for Emmanuel (God with us) has nothing physical required in it's prescription, it requires actions of the heart and that is the challenge. It requires me to look into myself and complete a mental and spiritual checklist (not unlike seeing if I've been naughty or nice) to assess my readiness for the celebration of His birth. Looking into the word of God is a great part of this assessment and personally at this time, once again the Peanuts gang makes this easier for me, see the video below:

That's it!

Fear not!

Tidings of great joy for all people.

Saviour who is Christ the Lord

Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth Peace and goodwill towards men

That's the assessment: I am not to fear, because there is great Joy because of the Saviour and this is not about me, but about God who will bring Peace and goodwill to all people (including me).

All I have to do is make a choice to be ready.

I'm ready, are you?

Merry Christmas!