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Be Prepared!


It’s probably not a good sign that this reminder needs to be posted at our back door. Being prepared for the day takes on a whole new meaning as we get older. Yikes! What’s your check list as you prepare for your day?

My check-in questions with folks this week addressed the myriad of preparations we seem to be consumed with at this time of year. Between the lights, decorations, baking, gifts, and gatherings, there is a lot going on.
So, my questions are:
“What is a Christmas ‘must have’ for you?
“What could you let go of this year?”

Perhaps this is a good exercise for all of us to entertain occasionally. It gives us permission to savour the important things and simplify expectations.

The call to be prepared runs through our scripture readings for this week. In Isaiah we hear the familiar voice crying out in the wilderness to “prepare the way of the Lord.” Returning from exile and returning to God is prepared for in dramatic fashion, involving the creation of a straight highway in the desert, lifting valleys, and leveling off mountains. All obstacles in the way must be removed.

The gospel reading gives us the story of John the Baptist. It begins by recalling the message from Isaiah to “prepare the way
of the Lord.” John’s ministry in the wilderness prepares the way for Jesus who is to follow John.

Whether we are preparing for a day, or preparing for a season, may we discern what is best to savour, and what is best to let go. The most important preparations are the ones that make room in our heart for the coming of the Christ Child, God incarnate in the world.
Peace and joy,
Nancy