Some things need to be prepared from the inside, out.
Like us, for Christmas.
Before we prepare the first thing on the outside of ourselves, we would do well to first start on the inside. And the absolute, best way to do that is in prayer before God.
We can commit ourselves wholeheartedly to Him and ask that He prepare us wholly—heart, mind, body, soul, and strength.
Prayer will prepare our hearts, so we aren’t preoccupied, prevented from enjoying Him.
Throughout the Christmas season, we spend time decorating, baking, shopping, wrapping, and planning perfection. Often, little time is spent preparing our hearts, to ensure Jesus gets the best part of us.
This change comes from the inside out—because our hearts affect external matters.
God knew our hearts would need preparing . . . cleansing. So, He promised and provided the remedy:
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.
And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you
a heart of flesh (Ez 36:26).
A gift of His grace is that of a new heart. And there is no time like the present to accept His present.
The humbled and surrendered heart—committed wholly to Him—is cleansed, transformed, and prepared. Creating an inner sanctuary—where He is pleased to dwell.
But it’s a partnership. Our part is that of coming to Him in prayer. And part of that time in prayer can include meditating upon His Word.
God does some of His best work through His Word.
Then, like Mary, we are treasuring up the things of Christ deeply in our hearts. And so fill our hearts daily with the gospel.
This preparation then allows for us to take it out into a world frantically searching for Christmas.
It was John who cried out in the desert place to prepare the way for the Lord. That can become our inward plea. Resounding within. Preparing a way for Jesus to fill your heart—that He may be at the heart of your Christmas.
Then gift that prepared heart right back to Him.