Preparing...

There are all kinds of preparations going on these days. Our friend's daughter, Amy Fullerton will marry Ryan Wehner in Minnesota on January 3. Amy's dad was pastor here 20+ years ago (her mom was a minister too!) and we have managed to keep in touch over the many years they've been gone. Amy was around 6 or 7 when they left P.A. and look at her now. All beautiful and grown up and wearing one honkin' big, beautiful ring to signify her engagement to Ryan. No doubt they will be preparing for their upcoming marriage and all that that entails.

Our house too, is in the preparation mode. Christmas decoration boxes from under the basement stairs are making their way to the dining room/kitchen/living room to be carefully set out in their rightful place. Husband is on standby to do the reaching/pounding/moving when I need him.

The first Advent candle will be lit on Sunday. A different purple candle will be lit for the next three Sundays the last one is a pink candle and Christmas morning a large white one will be lit in the centre of the Advent wreath.

Now to prepare the bulletin for Sunday's Family Advent Program. That is something I really look forward to every year. Children sing, adults sing, others play instruments and still others read poems and stories. Everyone sings carols and some read Scripture verses....verses that remind us once again, of the prophecies of long ago......telling of a King that would come to save us from our sins. It all makes for a wonderful evening as we begin our preparations for the Christmas Season and the time of waiting and preparing for the coming of the King of Kings into the world.

God, prepare my heart to receive you this Christmas season.............