To be ready for Christ when he comes, our hearts must first be prepared for him. This is why the church originally celebrated the season of Advent before the season of Christmas—four weeks of preparation, candle-lighting, and quiet anticipation, followed by twelve days of feast and joyous celebration: the famous twelve days of Christmas.
Be amazed with me at how well the Psalmist anticipated Advent. Consider how our lives might reflect a patient optimism for righteousness to prevail in our lives and for salvation to be our destiny. Let us live in that expectation this Advent season.
Just as the five virgins who were not prepared were stranded and not allowed to follow the processional to the wedding celebration, so we can be left stranded during this time of anticipation, preparation, and waiting.
The real preparation for Christmas must take place in our hearts.
John the Baptist reminds us that memories are made in the preparation phase, not just on Christmas Day.