7th December 2024
Advent – Prepare the Way
“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us—to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
Luke 1:68-79 (NIV)
As we are about to enter the second week of Advent, we continue our journey of preparation. This season, we are called not only to prepare our own hearts but also to be messengers of blessing to those around us. This season invites us to reflect on the peace that Christ brings and the role we play in carrying that peace into the world.
Imagine a road being prepared ahead of us. Just as ancient roads were levelled and cleared for kings and dignitaries to travel, so too are we called to prepare the way for the coming of Christ. This preparation isn’t about perfection, but about making space—clearing the obstacles of our hearts and lives so that Christ’s peace may enter and dwell within us.
In this season of Advent, our hearts are like the humble manger, waiting to receive the gift of Christ. Just as the manger, simple and unadorned, made room for the Prince of Peace, so too must we make room in our hearts. We prepare not with lavish offerings, but by opening space for Christ’s peace and blessing to dwell in us.
In our header scripture, we hear Zechariah’s prophecy, a powerful declaration of God’s faithfulness. These words speak of preparing the way before us—a way that leads to peace, forgiveness, and the light of God’s salvation. But before we walk this path, Advent calls us to pause.
In this pause, we take time to reflect on where we are, where we’ve been, and where God is leading us. Advent invites us into a season of peace, but that peace begins with a willingness to prepare our hearts—just as one would prepare a road for a coming king, or Mary prepared a manger for the birth of the Saviour.
As we reflect on God’s faithfulness and promises, we are reminded that we, too, are called to be messengers of blessing. Just as the road is prepared, we are to share the peace of Christ with others—clearing the way for hope, love, and blessing to enter the world around us.
With this peace, we are prepared for the journey ahead.
Prayer
Loving Father, this week may we be reminded of the peace we are called to receive and to share. Let us prepare our hearts like a manger, ready to receive Christ’s peace, and may we be messengers of blessing to a world in need of hope and light. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
This study is the amended transcript of an equipping video to empower and inspire Grace Communion International congregations around the world to live and share the gospel. It has been produced by the Home Office Team in Charlotte, NC, USA, and was first published in the 1 November 2024 edition of the Equipper publication.
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