Our Blog

By: Pastor Schlicht

When do you begin to prepare for Christmas? December 1st? November? October? Earlier? Maybe, you keep an eye out for gifts all year long. Or maybe you’re a little nervous while you read this because of how much there is left to do! There certainly are a lot of preparations to be made for Christmas. There’s a lot going on at Eastside, that’s for sure! Extra services, school concerts, choir rehearsals, the usual flurry of blessings and challenges in ministry, and you name it. It is easy, even for a pastor, to neglect the most important preparation in such a busy season.

The most important preparation is that of the heart. John the Baptist said, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” Or, as Watts and Handel wrote, “Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room.” If they are right, there must be things crowding the chambers of our hearts which need to be cleared out so that our Savior may find room. What’s in the way for you? Is worry blocking the door? Are pride and judgement demanding the space? Do fear and bitterness refuse to leave? There was sadly no room at the inn when Jesus came to Bethlehem on the first Christmas. Will he find room in your heart this year?

Thankfully, your God has not left you without help. Isaiah 9:6-7 contains a beautiful prophecy of Jesus’ birth, calling him “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace.” The last part says that “the zeal of the Lord” will accomplish this. That is still true this Christmas! God is excited for you to anticipate the birth of his Son as your Savior! He’s zealous (enthusiastic, passionate, determined) to prepare your heart! His Spirit delights, through Word and Sacrament, to clear out the clutter and prepare Him room!

And what does that Word tell us? “That he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Tell worry to leave because God is for you, not against you! Ponder the humility of the Almighty God who was born in a manger. How can pride reside in your heart when you know who lies in the hay? Focus on the eternal One who was willing to wear your flesh and bone so that you might wear his crown. Can we be bitter about our situation when we consider the cup our Savior drank for us? Consider this good news—this Christmas Gospel—and you will find that room within your heart has been prepared to receive your King.

Eastside is here to serve you as well. An advent devotional booklet will be distributed at Eastside after the services on December 1st. We have services on Sunday and Monday as usual, but during Advent services are also held on Wednesdays, at 3:30 and 6:30 pm, to help you prepare. Don’t think of church as one more thing to fit in during a busy season. It is your time to revel in God’s love; to ponder,in quiet Advent joy, the humility of your Savior; and to get some needed rest as the Holy Spirit makes room for Jesus in your heart.“Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, prepare room in my heart to rule as King this Advent. May I desire you more than anything else. In living faith, encourage me to reflect your grace and mercy to my family, friends, and even those I’ve yet to meet. And thank you for the privilege of gathering in joy with believers at church to await your arrival in Bethlehem. Amen.