prepare.....

"But the angel said, "Don't be afraid, Zechariah!  God has heard your prayer.  Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and your are to name him John."  (Luke 1:13  NLT)

What do you think of when someone says "prepare"?  Getting everything ready for company - clean the house and buy the food?  Getting ready for an exam or a paper that is due?  Getting the food lined up on the counter so you can "prepare" the meal or cake?  Or, like most of us at this time of year, is it getting everything out and ready for Christmas?  

The Scripture reading, this morning, is for Zechariah and Elizabeth to "prepare" for a baby.  A long waited for, wanted and prayed for baby.  A baby that, when grown, would prepare people for Jesus.  A baby that when Mary visited Elizabeth jumped for joy - even in Elizabeth's womb.  The angel is telling Zechariah to not be afraid but of all the things the child, including being filled with the Holy Spirit (v. 15), John will be doing. So...basically.... don't be afraid of the angel, the changes coming or where God is leading.

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, for those of us who follow the liturgical calendar, so it is the start of the "new" Christian year.  We start preparing for Jesus' birthday AND for Jesus to return.  We might even start our New Year's resolutions as we "prepare."  So....are you preparing?