Straighten the paths in your life that lead to Christmas
“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Luke 3:4b)
As I write this, my wife is busy making yet another batch of Christmas cookies. Baking. Shopping. Wrapping. Decorating. Parties and family gatherings. In the minds of many people, those are the essential things we need to attend to in order to be ready for Christmas.
None of those things are bad, but if that is all we do, we miss out on the most important part of our Christmas preparation! More than 2,000 years ago, John the Baptist’s job was to get people ready for the first Christmas.
Our Bible verse for this week was a big part of John’s message. John called people to see that they had all sorts of obstacles and misplaced priorities in their lives. They needed to get rid of the obstacles of sin and other people, things and considerations that were distracting them from being 
ready to welcome the baby in the manger as their Savior.
As we prepare for Christmas 2015, what are the obstacles and misplaced priorities standing in your way as you walk to the manger? Are you holding a grudge against someone in your heart? Are you consumed with anger against someone? Are you obsessed with some earthly thing, which is taking all of your time, money and effort?
Each of us has our own things we need to do to prepare our hearts to receive God’s Christmas gift. In the midst of all the other preparation and busyness of this time of the year, dear friends, please take time to “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”
Here is a prayer you can use to focus on that preparation:
Redeemer, come! I open wide
My heart to you; here, Lord, abide!
Oh, enter with your saving grace;
Show me your kind and friendly face.
Your Holy Spirit guide us on
Until our glorious goal is won.
Eternal praise and fame
We offer to your name.
(CW 3:5)