Ready or not

Hi, all!

I'm not sure I'm quite ready for Christmas. This time of year is hectic, because there are so many things to do. Parties, presents, house guests, travel, decorations...and on and on. It's a wonderful time of year, but it seems like it's impossible to do everything we want.

I'm not sure I'm ready for Christmas Eve, either. The sermon is done, the bulletins are printed, the music is ready, people are scheduled...but am I ready? Am I spiritually ready to celebrate the birth of Christ?

The truth is, I'm not really ready. I'm still fussing with last minute details, things I forgot to do, things I'd like to do. But when I think about it, I probably never will be really ready. There's always something more to be done.

The good news is that God didn't wait for the world to be ready when he came as a child in a manger. God didn't wait until every heart prepared him room. He didn't wait until all the conditions were right. He came when he was needed, at just the right time.

This poem from Madeleine L'Engle reminds us to rejoice that God is coming whether we're ready or not. Wherever you are tonight, I wish you a holy night, the night of the Savior's birth.

First Coming
by Madeleine L'Engle

He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine.

He did not wait till hearts were pure.
In joy he came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.

He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

Bill