Christmas is the unusual time of the year when it's OK to ask each other personal questions. Like, "Are you ready for Christmas?"
My great grandmother, Naomi Shank, is remembered to say that she wasn't so concerned about being ready for Christmas. Christmas is a wonderful time to remember, of course. But it is a past event.
Did you ever think about that? Christmas is all about remembering. The real event is past.
The first Christmas was when God gave us the ultimate Christmas gift. He gave Himself. He came to earth personally in the form of baby Jesus.
And that was just the beginning!
God's grand plan, His secret, master strategy, His real mission for descending undercover into Satan's territory was to totally defeat Evil. And He did it! He rescued us from the Father of Darkness and offered to adopt us into HIS family to make us Children of the Highest!
I identify with the apostle Paul who so passionately wrote: "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named!" (Ephesians 3:15)
So yes, the first time Jesus came definitely is worth remembering. And we do. That's what Christmas is all about.
But back to Great Grandma Shank... After she startled folks by saying she wasn't very concerned about being ready for Christmas, she would tell them that what she was really getting ready for was the next time Jesus comes. And YES! She was sooo ready and watching and waiting for that glorious day!
Those of us who remember can just see Grandma... and hear her quavering voice... with her love worn hands clasped in front of her beaming face... her face tipped toward heaven... her eyes squinted with longing...
And she was so right. To eagerly return God's gestures of love... to give Him the biggest gift on His wish list... the gift of our unbridled, uninhibited love and obedience... To be ready for the second coming of Jesus... That Readiness is the ultimate gift.
Are you ready?
I know, it's personal. But it's OK. It's Christmas.
Wishing you and yours a totally blessed, best Christmas ever!
Your farmer friends,
~Edwin & Dawn with Roland and Jefferson ~Rodrick & Jeanette with André, Clara and Sofia ~Laverne & Gwendolyn with Nikolas and twins Gianna & Geneva ~Winfred & Brianna with Tatiana, Addison and Karina ~Wesley & Kaylita with Kataya
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