Tara and I recently returned from an overseas trip. When we left on October 24th, the stores were filled with Halloween candy and decorations. We returned just before Veterans Day, and as we picked up our luggage from the carousel, we were shocked to see the Spokane Airport decked out with Christmas trees and lights. And now, a few weeks later, everywhere I look in our house: Christmas. Everywhere I go: Christmas. Everywhere on TV: Christmas. Everywhere online: Christmas.

Are you ready for Christmas? I’ll bet your answer is “no.” You’d think as early as the preparations begin, we’d be prepared long before it comes. But there is always more shopping to do. More decorating to do. More baking to do. More presents to wrap. More preparation until we are really ready for Christmas.

But what are we getting ready for? What is our preparation all about? And how much time do we really need?

In Exodus 19 the nation of Israel was instructed to prepare for the coming of the Lord. God told His people through Moses to prepare themselves for two days because on the third day the Lord was going to “come down” on the mountain and give them a message.

The Advent season at Christmas is similar. On Christmas, God “came down” and gave us a message. God came down as a baby in a manger. He came down as the final Word that dwelt among us. He came down as Immanuel—God with us. The message he gave us was one of hope, joy, and good news. The message was the Gospel of salvation for His people; to all who would believe. He brought light to this dark world.

The Israelites had just two days to prepare themselves before God came down. Two days before His arrival they were to consecrate themselves and wash their clothes. Wash their clothes? Yes, the washing of their garments was to be an outward manifestation of what they had done by preparing and cleansing their hearts. Washing their clothes was the easy part. But it had to reflect that their hearts were ready to receive the Lord.

We have weeks to prepare ourselves for the celebration of the arrival of God to earth that first Christmas morning. And like the Israelites anticipating the appearance of the Lord on Mount Sinai, we should prepare inside and out. Yes, decorations, presents, new clothes, and food and drink are appropriate. The truth is, with Christmas we get so busy with the “preparations” we never get around to the most critical preparation: ourselves. Decorations and presents should be the easy part. But they should be an outward display of an inward truth that our hearts are prepared for Christmas.

In the words of the great Christmas hymn, Joy to the World:

Joy to the World; The Lord is come;

Let Earth receive her King:

Let every Heart prepare him Room,

And Heaven and Nature sing.

Have you prepared Him room in your heart? Is there space? Do you have time? Or have your preparations for a holiday gotten in the way? I know it’s hard, but take time each day this Christmas season to see that your decorations, shopping, and gift-giving are all part of your worship of your God who came down with the good news of your salvation. He has come down with the message of eternal life.