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It seems like once Christmas begins to approach, people begin to ask, “Are you ready for Christmas?” That is not really the question they are asking. What they really want to know is, is your tree decorated, are your presents purchased; are your cookies baked and Christmas cards mailed out? Christmas has taken on a whole new meaning. A friend told the other day that someone said, “They have to bring Christ into everything – why can’t they leave Christ out of this one holiday?”

Christmas defined the ‘Mass of Christ,’ it is a traditional holiday in the Christian calendar. The festival of Christmas takes place on the 25th of December every year to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. If you take Christ out of Christmas, then there is no Christmas!

The Word shares: “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” (Mat 3: 1-3) The kingdom of God is the establishment of God’s rule and working out of His will on the earth. We see this in part since creation, we see it more fully when Jesus comes, and we will see it in totality when Jesus returns.

As Christ followers, our “totality” is getting closer and closer. “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People did not realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” (Mat 24:37-44)

Are we ready for Christmas? A great question to meditate on this week as we seek out our Savior and relish in anticipation of his return.

Yvette Perrin can be reached at theword2yvette@ gmail.com.