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“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:  “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.” (Matthew 3:1-3).

We have been in ministry together for 50 years now, since we started serving together even before our marriage. For twenty-five years we served local churches and for the last twenty-five we have worked together, primarily as chaplains.

Years ago we presented a teaching skit for the children in attendance during the worship service in a small country church we were serving in an interim role at the time. I had gathered the children at the front and began to talk about how we make preparations during the advent season to celebrate the coming of the Christ Child.

The children were attentively listening as I was talking when all of a sudden there was a loud distraction from the back of the sanctuary that drowned out my voice. (Those who know me realize that takes a great deal of volume!)

Everyone turned around to the loud noise in the back and found Brooksyne very intently running the vacuum cleaner seemingly oblivious to the fact that we were having a church service. It was quite a surprise to see her doing janitorial work instead of sitting at the piano bench where she normally sat on Sunday mornings when we pastored.

Appearing rather incredulous and very annoyed that she would choose to sweep during the worship service I asked (even louder than the sweeper noise), “Brooksyne, why in the world are you doing that right now?” She gave me the look of annoyance that wives give their husbands when they think you should already know the answer and responded, "I’m getting our church ready for Christmas".

When I asked her what she meant by that she told me to read Matthew 3:1-3. I read today’s text aloud and then she explained that she was preparing the way for the Lord and wanted to have our church all cleaned up for the coming King.  She had her dust mop in one hand,  glass cleaner in the other, and even had a toilet brush for the toilet facilities (she chose a never-used brush, I might add).

Well, we went back and forth a few times until I made it clear to our children (and congregation) that John the Baptist was preparing the way for our Lord’s arrival by teaching people to repent of their sins. It was an internal work rather than external.

After the service, we learned that more than one adult thought that Brooksyne was having a mental breakdown when they saw her vacuuming during the service and as they listened to our apparently convincing dialogue (before the skit’s message was fully revealed), they’d considered that the extra pressure she has during the holidays with her ministry responsibilities, etc. was more than she could handle this year.

But thankfully she hadn’t lost her mind and the lesson proceeded with a short message of how we are to get ourselves spiritually prepared for the Lord’s arrival. I suppose that’s one lesson people may be more prone to remembering!

No doubt you've spent a lot of time getting Christmas preparations out of the way (as much as possible) so you can enjoy the day with family or friends. But how are you preparing the way for the Lord at Christmas during this busy season?

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer:  Father, there are times when we feel like ours is the lone voice crying out, “Repent, get your heart right, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” like John the Baptist preached as he prepared the way for our Lord's coming to earth. It's the reason You sent Jesus to be born in a manger, to dwell among Your creation, and to give His life that our sin curse might be lifted. It is the greatest gift in all the world, for all time and for all people.  We rejoice in this imperishable, unbreakable, unchanging, and inexhaustible gift of salvation. In all our preparations this busy season help us to keep this incomparable gift of salvation the focus of our thoughts and activities we pray. Amen.