Today’s author is Prince of Peace member, Cathy Canfield.

Isaiah 40:3 – Prepare the way of the Lord. 

“Just Wait.” I’m not sure how many times I have said these words, but I know it’s a lot; to my children, as I worked with children and adults, to my phone as it’s ringing. We spend much of our life waiting. As a child, I waited for summer vacations, for books to come in the mail, for graduation. Later I waited for college, job, husband, babies, grandchildren. And as I waited, I prepared: travel plans, wedding, nurseries, trips to see family. Anxiety accompanies some waiting, and some preparations are made with joy. Waiting is an ordinary part of life.

During Advent every year, I put up a tree and other decorations, purchase gifts, make plans, go to special church services and concerts, sometimes even bake cookies or send cards. Preparations are fun, but sometimes cause anxiety. The most extraordinary part of this time of waiting, is that we know exactly what we are waiting for. We are waiting for and celebrating a baby that was born over 2000 years ago. We know the story, and yet we celebrate with great anticipation every year. Even years when we are grieving the loss of a loved one, we celebrate this baby Jesus that came as our Savior. We know the rest of the story too, the pain Christ will suffer, the death and resurrection, and yet, we wait and prepare for Christ’s birth every Christmas…for 2000 years. How extraordinary!

The waiting and preparing does not end with our Christmas celebrations. We also have the promise that Christ will come again and we will have eternal life in heaven. That is an extraordinary promise, just like the promise of the coming of a Messiah was in Isaiah’s days. We can continue to prepare by sharing that Good News with others.

John 14:1-3 – Let not your hearts be troubled; believe in God believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go and prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.