[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner parallax_bg_width=”110″ parallax_speed=”normal” bg_type=”theme_default” bg_grad=”background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, left bottom, color-stop(0%, #FBFBFB), color-stop(50%, #E3E3E3), color-stop(100%, #C2C2C2));background: -moz-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: -webkit-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: -o-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: -ms-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);” parallax_style=”vcpb-default” bg_image_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_image_size=”cover” bg_img_attach=”fixed” parallax_sense=”30″ viewport_vdo=”viewport_play” enable_controls=”display_control” bg_override=”0″ class=”advent” el_id=”adventHeader”][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][us_image image=”8122″ animate=”afb” animate_delay=”0.2″ size=”medium” link=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Advent Devotional” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:65|text_align:center|color:%23efefef” google_fonts=”font_family:Condiment%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” el_class=”adventTitle”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner parallax_bg_width=”110″ parallax_speed=”normal” bg_type=”theme_default” bg_grad=”background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, left bottom, color-stop(0%, #FBFBFB), color-stop(50%, #E3E3E3), color-stop(100%, #C2C2C2));background: -moz-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: -webkit-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: -o-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: -ms-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);” bg_color_value=”#eaeaea” parallax_style=”vcpb-default” bg_image_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_image_size=”cover” bg_img_attach=”scroll” parallax_sense=”30″ viewport_vdo=”viewport_play” enable_controls=”display_control” bg_override=”0″ background=”primary”][vc_column_inner width=”1/6″][us_image image=”8244″ size=”full” link=””][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”5/6″][vc_column_text]

I Love Christmas

by Eva Maxwell

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]I love Christmas! It truly is a season of opportunity for joy! I love the decorations, the music, the food, the parties, the movies—I just love it all! We spend weeks preparing for the holiday at our house. Between buying gifts for all the kids, getting food prepared ahead of time where I can, getting out our holiday recipe’s and doing all the things that make this a “busy” time of year, preparations are in full swing before Thanksgiving. This year is the year for the kids to come home so I’m really busy making preparations for a huge influx of people.

It is apparent that for earth to receive her King, preparations have to be made. Actually, the very next line says it quite well: “Let every heart, prepare Him room.” So I take that to heart! And my “nature” gets busy, busy, busy preparing!

But wait! What does His room look like? Am I preparing room in my heart to receive my King?

It’s alright to prepare for the celebration. “And Heaven and nature sing…” It’s natural. While all heaven and God’s creation worship Him, I think it’s a good thing to examine my own “nature.” It’s supposed to be like His. However, when my preparations for the natural drown out the heavenly, I need to step back and regroup my thoughts and efforts. As I examine my “nature” in preparation for the celebration, I must remember that it’s not about me at all! But about a God who would love the world so much that He would come to earth in the person of Jesus Christ, live among us and willingly go to the cross to give us all an opportunity to “receive” Him and take on His nature. This kind of thinking puts a whole new light on what I am to be, my attitude and my priorities.

“Let earth receive her King!” Let’s personalize that carol and bring it down to my level.

“Let ME receive my King, Jesus. Let my heart prepare Him room… And heaven and my nature sing (in perfect harmony)!”

When the celebration preparations are made inside and out and my nature is in line with His, now that’s joy!

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