We are coming into the Advent season! Naturally we prepare for the Christmas season, it is an exciting time, and everyone is running around trying to be ready for the great day of Christmas. Preparations go on for various events, family gatherings, etc. In our haste, something or possibly someone gets forgotten.

STOP!
Slow down.
Take time.
Open our hearts.
Pray for the season.

Today, many times, we use acronyms in our lives, which help us to remember companies or sayings. I use the aforementioned one: STOP! Life is a constant rush, pulling us here and there, eating up our time, and doing things at the last minute. Especially at Christmas, sometimes we end up saying, “Wow, the last four weeks have zoomed by. Where did the time go?”, “If I had only managed my time better or had more time!” 

We are also in the Advent time of our spiritual life! Our heavenly Father tells us to be prepared, as His Son will come soon! Have we taken the proper time to prepare? 

STOP!
Slow down: don’t let the world control our thoughts and actions. Slowing down allows us to see things more clearly.
Take time to prepare properly for the return of Christ. If we do, we will always remember who we are and where we are going.
Open our hearts to the prompting of our heavenly Father. We need to change and become more Christ-like every day. 
Pray for the season: Advent is sometimes referred to as the Season of Prayer. Do we pray to our heavenly Father to send His Son? Do we pray and ask to be found worthy upon His return?

My dear brethren in Christ, let’s STOP over this Christmas time and enjoy the season in our congregations and family circles. Let’s STOP in our life of faith and do what is necessary to be ready for the return of Christ. I wish everyone a joyful, peaceful, and happy Christmas season.