During the season of Advent, we remember how the prophets foretold the coming of Christ into the world. Isaiah said,
"
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain."
(Isaiah 40:3-4)
Isaiah reminds us that as we prepare, we do not prepare for some fantasy-land, utopian-like place. Instead, we prepare to dig deep, to go into the wilderness, to clear a path into the thick weeds of our lives so that we can make room to see the ways that Christ is born into the world.
This time of year, many of us are busy making all sorts of preparations. Perhaps there are special gatherings this time of year. Perhaps you are busy helping with the various food and clothing drives. Or, maybe you are making plans for family to visit or plans to travel to visit others. Then again, maybe you are trying not to think about being alone this year. Perhaps you are remembering those who won't be at the table this Christmas.
Wherever this season has put you this year, there is still the voice calling out to you from the thick of it: "Prepare the Way of the Lord!" Prepare to see Christ in the places that you are. Prepare your heart and mind to see the ways God shows up each day.
Many blessings to you as you prepare: As you are in the wild, untamed places of your life, may you hear the voice loud and clear calling you to prepare a place and a space to hear and see the ways Christ is born in your life.
