Still Preparing Our Hearts

The Second Sunday of Advent

We enter this second week of Advent seeking to prepare our hearts with this meditation.

The prophet Isaiah wrote, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:  'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'"  (Mark 1:2-3)

And John, the messenger of God, proclaimed to all the people who came to him in the wilderness that they must repent of their sins and be baptized.  Many people heard his message, repented, and were baptized in the river Jordan.

It has become our custom to prepare for the birth of the Messiah by decorating our tree and house, baking cookies and setting up the hot chocolate bar (adapted for our family).

As we light this second candle in preparation for the coming of the Messiah,  perhaps we need to listen again to John the Baptist's message, preparing the way of the Lord:

...make straight the paths

...repent of your sins

...be baptized

...and live holy lives devoted to God.