Day 22 — Prepare the Way

For centuries, prophecies proclaimed the coming of a Savior (Micah 5:2-5; Hosea 11:1; Jeremiah 31:15; Isaiah 1-5, 7:14, 53:5; Malachi 4:5-6 and many more). John the Baptist came to prepare the way for His coming, and Isaiah proclaimed it long before in Isaiah 40:3, as the lyrics to the song “Prepare the Way” so beautifully convey:

Long ago, so long ago 

A voice was ringing out

Crying in the wilderness

Messiah is coming now!

We must prepare the way of the Lord

But Jesus’ birth and resurrection isn’t the end of the story. The song continues, beckoning us to remember that Jesus is coming again soon, and we must prepare our hearts and prepare the way for His coming again.

One day soon and very soon

A trumpet will resound

And all will see and all will know

Messiah will come in power!

He is coming again. The question is, Will you be ready?

Here are four ways you can get ready for His return this Christmas season.

1. Don’t Take for Granted That Jesus IS Coming Back

Jesus is coming back. There’s a day and an hour appointed for His return (Matthew 24:36). At that appointed time, He will catch away those of us who are prepared for His coming and take us to heaven with Him to celebrate for seven years. Then, He’ll bring us back with Him when He comes to reign over the earth.

2. Remember, You’re Not Home Yet

If you’re not ready, the thought of the Lord’s return may not excite you. It may even fill you with dread and anxiety. If so, you need to make some changes. Focus your attention and your affection on the things of God instead of the things of this world (see Colossians 3:2). We need to constantly look toward heaven, so when the time comes to depart, we’ll be ready.

3. Get Your Own Oil

Jesus taught about that kind of readiness in Matthew 25, when some were prepared for the coming of the bridegroom with oil in their lamps, and others weren’t. There’s one point this parable makes very clear: When it comes to being ready and dedicating yourself to the Lord, you’re the one who has to do it. The pastor can’t do it for you. Your husband or wife can’t do it for you. You must go and buy oil for yourself. You must see to it that you’re ready for God. You must make sure there’s nothing in your life that would cause you to shrink back from His presence.

4. Don’t Be Caught by Surprise

Do you want to be ready? Then spend time studying and meditating the scriptures about Jesus’ coming. Build your hope to the point where you wake up every morning looking expectantly for Him. Live every day watching for His return. Don’t let it catch you by surprise. It’s not supposed to, you know. Even though God hasn’t disclosed to us the exact day or the hour, according to the Bible, if we’re alert, we will know the season of Jesus’ return. 

This Christmas, as we celebrate the first coming of the King, spend time preparing your heart for the second one. It may not seem like it, but He is coming soon!