Are You ready for Christmas?

In this one of the busiest times of the year we are hurriedly trying to get ready for the holidays. People are frantic to select just the right gift. Trying to give what will please others. Make the decorations look just right. Make sure all is in readiness for Christmas. The question you always hear is, “Are you ready for Christmas?” Most answer, “No I may never be ready?”
As we prepare for the Lord’s birthday let us not lose sight of what we must prepare.
We must prepare our gifts. Each selected with the utmost care and thought. We select gifts for all our loved ones. We give to each a gift selected and given with love. God is no different. He looked all over heaven and selected the most perfect gift He cold find. In the book of John we get a glimpse of what God found to give to us. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. “ John 3:16

Now that is a gift worth giving. God gave his very best. What kind of gift are you going to give to the Lord on his birthday? As I looked into God’s Word I found in First Corinthians 3:10-13 “According to the grace of God which is the master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be tried by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”

On the Lord’s birthday many will give him precious stones—for they are shining lights to a world of darkness. These stones may look like service, testimony, talent, time, love one for another, just to mention a few.
Others will give gold, and silver. For they love the Lord and want to share with others what they have received. This may be in the form of spiritual or material gifts.
But the majority will give the Lord a box of sticks. Boxes filled with wood hay and stubble, the leftovers and the most worthless with only superficial value. This is evidenced by their lack of concern for the lost, needs of others, or for the Lord’s church. They love sin too much. There is pleasure in sin for a season then we must pay the price. Most just love themselves too much they only want what is in it for me. Sounds a lot like vanity and pride is coming before the Lord.

You can’t just go out to Wal-Mart and buy Christ a gift. You do have something he wants and would love to get on his birthday. You have the power to give Jesus you soul. Are you saved do you know Jesus as savior? “For by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast.” Eph 2:8-9. You can give him your heart. How much do you really love God? How about your talent? God gave each of us special talents that only we can use. He would like to have you use those talents for him. It has been said if we don’t use the talents we have we stand a chance to loose those talents. What about your time? Oh wait now…. I am way too bust to give any of my time. Ok, but could you simply study to show yourself approved, pray for those who are in need of God’s help and guidance, how about telling someone about Jesus. How much time would that take?

Do we give God our best or is God last on our list? Is He even on our list? While you are making a list and checking it twice make sure Jesus is on your list. It is His birthday after all. On that first Christmas God gave the very best He had to offer. The best gift he owned. What will we give him?

Why does God only get the seconds, thirds the unwanted? Why never the newest and best? We give our family and friends our best. We search every store to find the perfect gift. How come we leave God out?

If you knew Jesus was coming to your house Christmas morning what would He find under your tree with His name on it? Would he find his name on any gift? If there is a gift there would it be fit for a king or a pauper?

Jesus is coming one day how have you prepared for His coming? Jesus said, “In My fathers house there are many mansions if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. He is preparing for you are you preparing for Him?
People today are busy preparing for many things. We all have plans to make and places we want to go and things we want to do. There is one thing we fail to do we fail to prepare for Christ’ return. We must prepare and be ready.
Our hearts must be ready. “Prepare to meet thy God.” Amos 4:12 Are you saved? Is there hidden sin in your life? Are you where God would have you to be serving Him?
We must prepare our minds “Let this mind be in you which also was in Christ Jesus.” Philip 2:5 What kind of mind was that? One that loves thy neighbor and you love yourself. Forgive those who wronged you and love those who used you.
In the book of Matthew 5:23-24 I find what and how we are to present our gift. “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the alter, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift.”

When Jesus comes how will He find you? Will He even know who you are?
As you are preparing your gifts does Jesus have one? What kind is it? Is it gold, silver precious stones or a box of sticks?
There is no better way to start this New Year than to have Jesus in your heart, mind and life.

Something to think about:

The old man came and stood outside in the snow.
Though he knocked no one came to open the door.
Through the window he saw gifts or every size.
Each one containing a very special prize.
Many there were gathered all singing joyfully.
Decorations were hung skillfully.
The news spread around the world of this special day.
A time to reflect, to share and to play.
The word went out the celebration to begin.
All the guest anxiously waited warm within.
For each one a gift they would raise.
Singing songs of royal birth and Holy praise.
The old man watched as each gift was in sight.
Each name checked to be sure it was right.
Though he tried to see, and searched in vain.
Not one gift did bare his name.
As all the guest left not one stopped to ask.
Where in this world was the honored guest.
The old man turned and again walked away.
Shoulders shook and tears filled his eyes.
Another celebration for him was complete
And once again he was left out in the street.

“ Behold I stand at the door and knock.”

Did you leave Jesus out in the cold again this year?