PREPARE!

Second Sunday of Advent
for December 7, Sunday

Mark 1:3
A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths…
------------------------------------------------------

We would go to the beach. The night before that, I cannot sleep. My mother would tell me that I am excited. I said no, I am not excited – I just don’t want to be left behind me when the morning comes and it is time to go. So, I have to stay awake.

It was Christmas Eve. I cannot sleep and have to wait for midnight. My mother would tell me to sleep and she will just wake me up in time for the midnight dinner. I said no, I have to stay awake for she might not wake me up and miss everything that I have waited for. So, I have to stay awake.

I can still remember other instances wherein I have to stay awake, prepare and wait for something or someone. In this season of advent, may we be reminded to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord. Ultimately then, waiting upon God protects us, deepens our trust in Him, forces us to seek His ways and brings Him the most glory. There are times the Lord is testing whether we are really seeking Him and His ways. So, we have to stay awake.

We must prepare a straight path for the Lord, removing all obstacles which stand in the Lord’s way preventing him from coming. All the crooked ways in our life, in the life of our society need to be straightened out. Let the season of Advent be a time when we look forward with great expectation to the coming of the Lord, trusting that he will do a new thing in our life and in the life of the world, preparing ourselves morally and spiritually to receive Him when he comes. Behold our God, He is coming.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, Lord, our God, we praise You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, for He is Emmanuel, the Hope of all people. He is the Wisdom that teaches and guides us. He is the Savior of us all. O Lord, we should always be ready for the coming of the Master. The Lord will make the darkest places bright, in Jesus’ name. Amen. +

Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.