Today is the fourth Sunday in Advent. The fourth week of Advent usually is shorter than a full week, but this year it is as short as possible, since tomorrow we will start celebrating  Christmas!

Are you ready for Christmas?

Our tree is decorated and presents are spilling out from under its branches.

Christmas cookies have been made–and eaten.

Looks like we need to make more for Santa!

The theme of the fourth week of Advent–love–works well for Christmas too.

They say that “Jesus is the reason for the season,” but Jesus spent his life preaching and teaching about love–and proclaiming the Good News of God’s love for us all. At Christmas, we buy gifts for those we love, we travel over the river and through the woods to visit with those we love, and we plan and prepare a special meal to enjoy with those we love. If you are losing sleep over your holiday to-do list and stressing over the things that just won’t get done, remember the reason for your December dashing, and keep in mind that the most important gift you can give your loved ones is you!

In the final, frazzled days leading up to Christmas, it always helps me to remember these words from How The Grinch Stole Christmas:

Christmas Day is in our grasp
so long as we have hands to clasp.
Christmas Day will always be
Just as long as we have we.
Welcome, Christmas, while we stand
Heart to heart … and hand in hand.

This reduces Christmas to its essence–spending time with family and friends.

Prayer for the Fourth Week of Advent:

In our watching and our waiting,
Come Lord Jesus.
In our hopes and in our fears,
Come Lord Jesus.
In our homes and in our world,
Come Lord Jesus.
Come bless us and surprise us.
Amen

Are you ready for Christmas?