Good Advice to Prepare for the Gift of Jesus

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I don’t know if you can relate but I’ve had too many years when I’ve allowed holiday busyness to distract me and keep me from focusing on the gift of Jesus.

December is a crazy busy time of the year. We fill our calendars with church and school activities, extra time with friends, shopping, wrapping, mailing, cooking, baking, and family traditions. Are you feeling overwhelmed already?

I want to intentionally find time to “be still and know” my Lord and Savior. As the days shorten and darkness increases, I want to focus on the One who is the Light of the World.

Whether we light an Advent wreath or a Christmas candle, spending time each day focusing on God’s promises and prayer will help to calm our thoughts and prepare our hearts for the gift of Jesus.

Please join me for verses and prayers that will help us prepare for the celebration of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Verses and Prayers to
Prepare for the Gift of Jesus

For a child is born to us,
    a son is given to us.
The government will rest on His shoulders.
    And He will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Father God, You promised to send a Savior in the Garden of Eden. The moment sin entered creation, You immediately promised to redeem us. We deserve to face our own consequences; yet, You promised a plan filled with mercy and grace.

Generations later, You inspired the prophet to identify the Savior as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God made flesh, One with You our Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace for a distressed world.

Your love overwhelms me. I am completely unworthy of all You have done for me but You did it anyway. You are El-Shaddai—God Almighty! You are Jehovah God! You are the Lord of my life. Amen.

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through His prophet:
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
    She will give birth to a son,
and they will call Him Immanuel,
    which means ‘God is with us.’”

Matthew 1:22–23

Father, by the power of Your Spirit, help me pause often throughout the coming days to focus on the miraculous magnificent birth of Immanuel. You sent Him to walk among us and show us the greatness of Your love.

Jesus, Immanuel, taught Your message of TRUTH. He healed and provided for people with care and compassion. He patiently revealed the way You want us to love You and treat one another.

Thank you for blessing us with the gift of Your Word. Matthew a tax collector and sinful human being, like me, wrote the words above. Jesus’ presence and love transformed him; and by Your grace, I am also being transformed by the presence and love of Immanuel. He is working humility, gratitude, faith, and hope. I thank you! Amen.

In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.
God created everything through Him,
    and nothing was created except through Him.
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
    and His life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness can never extinguish it.

John 1:1–5

You are Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Your Spirit inspired John to tell us that Jesus is the Word made flesh …fully God and fully man. He is the Creator of all things who willingly and physically entered creation to show us the Truth and the Way of Life.

I can live without fear because Jesus defeated the darkness incited by the enemy of our souls. He alone makes forgiveness possible and gives us the strength we need.

Thank you for allowing me to KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST You through faith in Jesus, the Word made flesh. Thank you for showing me Your mercy and all-sufficient grace. Amen.

Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for Him.

Hebrews 9:28

Father, as I prepare my heart to celebrate the gift of Jesus again this Christmas, please help me remember all that He gave up to become the sacrifice for our sins. He left the glories of heaven, endured the ridicule and rejection of people, suffered the pain of abuse and crucifixion, and surrendered to physical death.

He lived the total human experience without sinning. Nothing happens in my life that Jesus does not understand. So, I will eagerly wait for His return. I will focus on all He has done and rest in the assurance of the Spirit. My future is secure in Him. Amen.

With joy you will drink deeply
    from the fountain of salvation!
In that wonderful day you will sing:
    “Thank the Lord! Praise His name!
Tell the nations what He has done.
    Let them know how mighty He is!
Sing to the Lord, for He has done wonderful things.
    Make known His praise around the world.

Isaiah 12:3–5

Father, because of Your awesome love I will celebrate the birth of Jesus and rejoice in the promise of salvation.

I will thank and praise the name of the Lord, my God. With Your Spirit’s help, I will proclaim Your love and make known the powerful truth of my Savior, Jesus.

Triune God, You have done such wonderful things for me. Please give me the peace I need and help me live through these busy days with my eyes on Jesus. In whose name, I pray. Amen.

Henri Nouwen wrote one of my favorite Advent quotes…

“The Lord is coming, always coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize Him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord.”

May you find time to be still with the Lord this month as you prepare for the gift of Jesus.

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