Do you remember those little tags on presents that said “Do not open before Christmas?” It is hard to wait, isn’t it? Waiting can be difficult, even though it is a virtue to be patient. Part of our Advent preparation is to patiently wait for our Lord’s second coming to this earth. We are also waiting to celebrate His birth. Maybe it would help if instead of saying “Do not open before Christmas” we thought about things we should Open Before Christmas. As we make our final countdown to Christmas, what should we open? Let’s start today with “Open Your Ears.”
Advent is a time of listening. We expect God to listen to us, don’t we?
Psalm 130:2 O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
And God does listen. He listened to the cries of His people down through the ages, even as He still listens to us today. He answered the prayers of His Old Testament people with the gift of Jesus, and we can be confident He hears our prayers for Jesus’ sake. God has His ears open. He listens. He hears you. But He wants you to do the same. He wants you to listen to Him.
Isaiah 55:3 Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live.
This season is a time to open your ears to the chances to hear God’s Word. You hear it proclaimed in church in words and songs. Open your ears and listen to the music – you’ve heard lots of Christmas music by now. Some of those songs speak of Jesus while other Christmas songs have nothing to do with him. What message are you hearing?
Have you thought about why you are able to hear the good tidings of great joy? It is because the message was told to others who listened …
- to Zechariah and Elisabeth
- to Mary and Joseph
- to shepherds
And those who heard it told it to all who would listen. This message has been passed down through the centuries … spoken, written, sung, chanted, performed, broadcast, bounced off satellites, beamed through Bluetooth and whatever other technology is out there so that you could hear it. Open your EARS to the message of Jesus Christ.
You will be reminded of your sin, your need for redemption and the great mystery of God providing that redemption in the wrapping of swaddling clothes. This Advent, ask God to help you prepare yourself for Christmas.
