Posted by Kristina Gibson | December 3, 2017  

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. We are all familiar with the words from that oh so popular song by Johnny Mathis. Already preparation for Christmas has kicked into high gear with displays of Christmas lights, bows and trees everywhere you go. Not to mention the crowded stores as people look for the best deals on Christmas gifts and children wait in line to take their picture with Santa Claus.

In the midst of all this anticipation for the big day, it can be easy to lose sight of what we are truly preparing for. It’s not really about the Christmas decorations being ready for everyone to see or whether you have researched the best in-store and online deals to buy all the gifts on your list. It’s about being ready for the birth of Jesus Christ.

Kristina lights the first candle on the Advent wreath, the Prophecy Candle.

We celebrate Advent season as a way to prepare ourselves for the arrival of Christ. On the first Sunday of Advent, we light the Prophecy Candle which reminds us of the promises God made to prepare the world for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 9:2-7, we learn from the Prophet Isaiah that God is preparing us not only for the coming of Jesus Christ as the child born for us, but is also preparing us for when Christ will come again in power as the Prince of Peace and Wonderful Counselor.

As a child, I always looked forward to setting up my family’s Advent wreath and anxiously awaited my turn to light one of the candles. The time that we spent as a family in prayer together helped me remember the true meaning of Christmas instead of becoming too focused on the gifts I wanted for Christmas.

As we enter into this Advent season, let us remember to take time for prayer and reflection. What are we doing to get ready for Christmas?  How is God preparing our hearts to receive Jesus?

Kristina Gibson is the Program Director of Isaiah 43 Parenting & Mentoring.