Preparations

The end of another week has come and with it begins the final stages of preparing for Christmas. The weekend is packed with activities: gift wrapping, cookie baking extravaganza with a dear friend, a cookie and white elephant exchange, and church. Wow! That's almost enough to make a person's head spin. But I so enjoy all the activity and find it to be a great stress reliever.

After the weekend activities have ended, it will be time to begin preparations for Christmas day. Most of the meal items are already ordered, on hand, or require a last minute purchase for freshness. But there are other preparations taking place as well. Preparations of the heart. This is the joy of sharing the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus with our precious family and friends. There are few times of the year when almost everyone's heart is open to receive the truth about Christ's birth, death, and resurrection. It's as though God has prepared the way for us to be the heralders of the good news.

We have the privilege of announcing the joyous news to others that Christ was born. Be like the angels and announce the birth of the Savior. He came to fulfill His promise, He died so we could live, He rose to give us hope. Share that hope today, This Day.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Luke 2 (NIV) 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.