2nd Sunday Advent 2018 Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas and the Coming of Christ

My brother, Chris and his wife, Sam just had their first child, Hazel.

It has been an exciting time for the whole family. There were multiple baby showers and I know the two of them bought furniture, blankets, changing tables, clothing and many things that a baby needs and things that parents need when a baby arrives.

Like all new parents I am sure they went through their house asking what is best for the baby, what is safe, what needs cleaning and what should be locked, changed, or cleared away.

They had to think about how to arrange work, how would it now fit into this new family and how would it be impacted.
And it is a similar process for most families that the expectation of a new baby means major changes in life and the way we look at work, play, love and family.

We all know about families of course but when two young people prepare for their first child, family takes on a new meaning for now this couple becomes a family.

Preparation and being ready for this becoming, this new arrival, whether we want it to or not, demands we change all of our world and way of thinking to make room and a place for this new beloved child o God.

Once Hazel was born, we were able to see her in the hospital with mom and dad and afterward there were Facebook posts and pictures and Hazel was now on the Internet where we could see her photos and keep track of her growth like all relatives today get to do.
Hazel has arrived.

This advent we are also preparing for an arrival, too aren’t we?

The arrival of Christmas and the coming of Christ again in his glory and salvation.

Just like a couple who now is a family we must also make great change in our world. We must put aside our thoughts of old ways and old lifestyles and even our daily routine should be examined, and we must ask, what should we do to be prepared for the coming of the Babe, Jesus and what should we do to be prepared for the coming of Christ for the final time.

What needs to be changed? What is best for us as we prepare for Christ’s coming? What should be locked away or even put aside in our life that is not safe for a child of God waiting for Christ to come back into this world.

I wonder if we are as urgent in our preparation for Christ, in changing our life so we are living as he taught us– as urgent as it would be if we were welcoming a new baby?

Are we asking ourselves what should we be doing to prepare for Jesus Christ? Unlike most new parents we have no idea when Jesus comes again.

And that really is the point we need to remember today.

We don’t know when Jesus will show up. Unlike when a child is born today, there will be no texts, no Snapchats, Facebook posts or Instagram photobombs.

But just like a family welcoming a new born baby, we should be ready.

We need to ask if we have prepared our homes and work for when he comes. Do they reflect the abode and work of an ever-ready Christian who lives expecting Christ to appear any day?

Do we have hearts clear of anxiety and fear and self-centered desires and instead filled with a love of God and a life faithful to his Word and teachings?

I know we sit here in church and might say yes. But I wonder.

What needs to be cleared out and cleaned up?
What should we do in preparation?
Later in Luke, the people will ask John what they should do, and he will tell them, each according to their station. To some he said share your clothing. To others share your food. Others to stop taking from others. To stop cheating and stealing. Still to others he told them to stop threatening and lying against others and to be satisfied with your pay.

But Jesus asks more of us. In response to the question what should we do, Jesus tells us, love others as much as we love ourselves and love God above all.

So, we need to ask ourselves today, are we as urgent about our readiness for the coming of Christ, as we are when a new child is born? Are we prepared to show Jesus the life we have lived and the fruits of our labor?

Will our hearts be clean and ready? Or will our life be cluttered with too many things and too many worries, maybe dangerous things that need to be put away? We need to do some cleaning.

This preparing and clearing and cleaning will need to be a daily event in order to be ready for most of us. Because it is easy to get a little lax at times. But just like parents who love their child we who love Jesus must guard our hearts and homes.

A heart ready for Christ is filled throughout the day in prayer and trusting in God. A life ready for Christ is slow to anger and quick to forgive and ready to share time and blessings.

Even St. Paul said I don’t always do what I know I should. And most of us are in the same camp with St Paul too.

So, we must renew our commitment to preparations and readiness each morning when we get up and each night, we must review how we did.

Do we pray to God often?

I know so many of us are so busy. I know I am. But work can be turned into prayer— and busy lives, whether it is taking care of children and a family or working in the business world can be given to God as prayer. Many holy people I know say prayers during work, and others give unpleasant chores to God as a service to others.

What are we doing each day to prepare? To make our hearts and lives holy?
Do we choose to be kind, instead of inflammatory? Or have we joined the rhetoric that divides us instead of working for unity?

Do we remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us in order to create a place for us in the kingdom— and do we remember that we too are called to sacrifice for others? Even when it means we have less? Love requires sacrifice. Whether it is love for God, our spouse, a new child or others, love, true love, great love requires sacrifice. Always. That is what Jesus taught us.

What shall we do to prepare ourselves?

Do we regularly, and often, read books that help us understand our faith? That is how we grow intellectually and in understanding of our faith.

Do we give our time for no other reason but that someone was in need of it? That is charity and is the sign of a Christian.

Pray continually, study regularly, give to others and remember that we too were shown charity and mercy and we need to show that to others. These are what preparations should look like during Advent.

Prepare the way for Christ. Make the path to your door, to your heart an easy journey.

Paved with good deeds, love and charity.
None of us are going to get it right overnight, but by making a small step closer to the goal each day we will eventually wake to find our house ready, our hearts with room for the Spirit and our lives reflecting love of God and neighbor.

And the coming of Jesus will not catch us off-guard but we will see his glory and salvation and rejoice. 