We are now in the final stretch of Advent, the week before Christmas. Are you ready? What does it really mean to be "ready" for Christmas, anyway? Have you sent cards? Decorated your home? Bought and wrapped presents? You can have done all of these things and not yet be ready! Today, let's consider what it means to be ready as we read the first part of John's Gospel:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:1-6)

Wow! This passage is so powerful! It tells us about creation, about what happened "in the beginning." It tells us that before anything was made, the Word was there. The Word was a Person. That Person, Jesus Christ, created the world and gave the world light and life. But this passage tells us something else: the world was not ready for Him. It says, "The Light shined in The darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it." The darkness still does not comprehend the light of Jesus, does it? People all around us think they are ready for Christmas but they have not prepared for Him. Their houses are ready; they've sent out cards; they've bought and wrapped their gifts. Their days are filled with Christmas preparations and yet their hearts are empty. As you prepare your own heart this Christmas don't forget to bring the light of Jesus to others. Remind them of the miraculous gift of Jesus—the Light of the World!