Ready or not, here it comes…

I have a confession to make, and it’s not a pretty one. I’m not ready for Christmas. I’m not ready for it to BE Christmas. Is it really only three days away?

I can’t believe it’s really been a month since I’ve posted. Working full time, learning a new job, studying…it was all beginning to bog me down. Actually, it still is. I have two final exams this week, after I take six quizzes and two chapter tests, and then I have to jump right into class number three.

But that's only part of the reason I'm not ready for Christmas.

Traditionally, at our house, we don’t start preparing for Christmas until after my son’s birthday, which is the 8th. And even though he lives halfway across the country, this year was no exception. Sadly, the morning after my son’s birthday, my father-in-law passed away. What a shocking blow to our family. It’s been a very sad time at our house.

So I haven’t sent out any Christmas cards. I’ve bought a few presents, but didn’t go shopping at the mall. I don’t have the heart to brave the crowds this year. And what’s worse, I don’t have a Christmas tree. That’s right. Here it is, December 22nd, and I don’t have a Christmas tree.

But that’s okay. Because last night as I was driving home from work, my favorite Christmas song came on the radio.

O Holy Night
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of Our dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world In sin and error pining,
'Til He appeared
And the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks
A new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O, hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
As I listened to these beautiful words, they gave me comfort and I realized something. It doesn’t matter whether we’re ready for Christmas, it comes anyway. And even if we aren’t ready, aren’t we glad it does?

I’m so thankful Jesus didn’t wait for us to be ready before He was born on that holy, long ago, night. I’m so glad He didn’t wait for us to be ready before He hung on the cross. We’d still be waiting for our Savior!

So now, after listening to the words in that beautiful song, I feel ready for Christmas. My heart is still sad about my father-in-law, and I may not have a tree decorated, but I feel spiritually ready. And isn’t that the most important part of Christmas?

I wish you and your family a very blessed Christmas.

Candle graphic courtesy of: http://www.christmas-graphics-plus.com/