As I write this introduction, it is still the first week of November. As I was driving in the car the other day, I was flipping through the channels to find some music. Sure enough, I came across a station playing Christmas songs. Really? This early? Are you serious?
I know I am not alone in finding this hard on the ears. The reason that those of us who may not appreciate the Christmas cheer so far in advance is because it becomes too saturated - by the time we hit December 15, we are ready to be done with it. And when Christmas Day finally arrives, that music better be done by noon, because the last thing you want to hear is what's been heard for the past two months!
Yet I think another reason that this may be hard to hear is that it is a reminder that we aren't ready. We hear that music and it is nothing more than a reminder of all that we need to do in the next few weeks. We get requests from people about what we want for Christmas, and it reminds us we need to shop, and we aren't ready. We see decorations pop up, which reminds
us we need to decorate, and we aren't ready. We have Christmas cookies and goodies at parties or at work, and are reminded of the cooking and baking yet to be done, and we aren't ready.
Are you ready? We know it is coming, and we know we really ought to slow down and take time to focus on the reason for the season, the time with family, the hopes and fears we carry in our hearts. Still the calendar fills up, and there is much to do and much to be done. It happens every year, whether we are ready or not.
Our hope and prayer is that the collection of devotions, prepared by members and friends of Epiphany Lutheran Church, will provide you and your family an opportunity to prepare your hearts, minds and homes for the coming of the Christ child once again. May this not be "just one more thing" to add to your "to do" list before Christmas. Instead, may it
be an opportunity to focus on the Gift, and give thanks to the Giver.
