Instead of falling headlong into a frazzled holiday rush, how about if we take time to welcome Christ into our hearts and lives this December?
Advent means “arrival.”
Can you think of a time you got excited about the arrival of a special guest? Maybe it was someone you love greatly, but rarely get to see. When my son Andres was about 8 years old, one day I invited a close family friend to dinner. Andres got so excited that several hours before her arrival, he pulled a chair close to the front door to sit and wait. He adored our friend and wanted to make sure he was the one to open the door when she rang.
What if we were that intent on opening the door to more of Jesus in our lives?
Let’s open the doors of our lives and welcome the King of Glory in.
Let’s invite Jesus into our everyday.
When Jesus comes, he opens our eyes to more joy. He brings glory and purpose to our work. He strengthens us for each task. He brings hope to our disappointments and assurance that there is more to life than what we see.
Let’s invite Him into our broken places.
When Jesus comes, He brings His Spirit to renew our faltering faith. He brings his power to our weakness. He brings His Word to speak truth to our doubts. He brings healing to our brokenness and redemption to our failure.
How do we invite Jesus in?
To invite someone in, we have to open the door. What would have happened if my son hadn’t opened the door when our guest arrived? He would have missed out.
Revelations 3:20 says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
How amazing is that? He’s always there waiting for us to let Him in. I need more of Jesus in my life, don’t you? Let’s open the doors of our hearts and lives to Him.
Open up our Busy Schedules:
How about slowing down a few moments each day to slip into His presence and rest there? Whether we linger over morning coffee, or set aside a half hour before bed, our King of Glory is waiting for us to open the door and invite Him in.
Open His Word:
Reading our Bibles opens a way for us to meet with our Savior. When we read His Words, His Spirit works, and we hear His voice.
Open our Eyes:
Let’s open our eyes to see His hand at work in our daily lives.
Open our Hearts:
Let’s invite Jesus to shine His light into our hearts. What do we need to let go of? Where do we need forgiveness? If we ask Him, He’ll tell us. When we repent, He promises to cleanse us and make us new.
Let’s make advent a special time to open our doors to Jesus and welcome him into our hearts, our homes, and our work. He is the King of Glory. As He comes, may He set our hearts on fire with joy and hope.
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Wonderful tips for preparing ourselves for the Christmas season! I am taking this post to heart today. We can see the schedule filling up already, and I want to make sure I schedule in plenty of time for what matters most. Thanks for the reminder, Betsy!
I know what you mean about the schedule, Kristine! Mine too. Blessings on your week.
Yes to all of this today! That is exactly what my focus is during Advent as we prepare for the most beautiful birth that was ever told. More of Jesus, less of me and making sure my present is my presence. Blessings my friend! Happy Advent!
Making sure our present is our presence. So good, Mary! Happy Advent to you too!
Great post, Betsy! Need this reminder over and over – especially in this busy time of year when it can be so easy to let the to-do list overrun us. Need to slow down and spend time with Jesus.
I need time with him too, Kathryn! Blessings on your week.
Confession: I didn’t know advent meant arrival! I’m so glad to know that now. And your story of Andres reminds me of my younger two, who will sit on the front porch swing or ride their bikes up and down the driveway when they are excitedly waiting for someone to arrive. Thank you Betsy! May this entire month glorify our Lord and Savior!
Amen, Lisa! I’m glad you didn’t know advent meant arrival! Because I thought, “should I include that? or do people already know?” 🙂 Blessings to you, Let’s glorify Him in the quiet and busy moments.
Love this so much: “What if we were that intent on opening the door to more of Jesus in our lives?” I appreciate the practical steps also. Thanks Betsy for sharing!
Blessings on your December, Angela!
hi betsy, i enjoyed your post today. it was along similar lines as mine. yours had more steps. mine was less detailed. how typical:) blessings to you during this advent season:)
I guess we’re in tune then, Martha! Good to know!
Thank you, Betsy, for this encouragement to invite Jesus more into our lives, into our everyday, into our brokenness. The story of your son’s excitement is such a great analogy. May we have the same excitement to open the door to Jesus!
Yes, Trudy! Let’s open those doors!
Great tips on how to open the door for Jesus, Betsy. I need to work on opening my schedule. I have yet to start a consistent daily quiet time with Him. This is one of my #1 goals right now. Thank you for this beautiful encouragement!
Praying for you now, Candace. It will change your life for the better! 🙂
Betsy, I love the way you put this, so simple, so pure. Welcome our guest. Welcome Jesus!
Let’s welcome Him. Blessings, Christy.
Betsy,
Loved this reminder that I need to “do” the action…I need to OPEN my heart…OPEN His word…OPEN my life…what I get here is that I need to be intentional on acting in such a way as to let Jesus in. His doesn’t burst into our hearts…He waits to be invited. Thanks for the reminder to take some time and do some opening…I’ll be blessed in the long run!
Blessings,
Bev
I’m doing the best I can to open the doors wide here, Bev! May the Lord bless you this December.
Betsy,
I love how you listed all the ways we can open up to Jesus this season…Yes to all of it 🙂 Thanks 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Dolly.
Betsy – your material gets better and better – Well done and God bless – Ken
Thank you so much, Ken. God bless you too.
Yes, yes, yes! More of Jesus for Christmas! Less shopping til we’re dropping, less fretting and sweating, more resting in the one who brings us great tidings, who gives us new life! Mulling around at #testimonytuesday looking for encouragement for this Christmas season! Wonderful simple reminders you offer here!
May you be blessed during this season, Kathy! I’m all for less fretting and less sweating!
Thanks for a beautiful reminder! We all need more of Jesus …
Let’s open our doors, Janelle!
Amen! This is exactly what I want for Christmas! Simply more of Jesus! ♥
May the Lord grant you your wish, Heather! I think it’s what He wants for us as well.
Excellent advice, Betsy! The older I get the more I realize that Christmas is a time to minister to others–not a time for me to pretend I’m Martha Stewart!
Ha ha! That’s some great common sense there, Anita! You’ve got a good head on you, Girl!
A beautiful post, Betsy. I say “yes” to all of it. May we fully open our hearts to Him for He will surely come to us. Blessings!
Amen, Joanne. He will surely come!
Funny how it seems the hardest to keep Christ in what should be the holiest of celebrations, but it’s true. The enemy is so subtle and exchanges what it trivial for what is really necessary. Thanks!
Yes, you’re right, Karen. December is often a time when business runs away with us. Let’s hang on to what’s necessary!
Wonderful perspective during a very busy week, Betsy. Thank you!
Love this, Betsy! More of Jesus!!! Oh how we get distracted by all the busyness. Thank you for reminding me to stay focussed!
Open schedules, Bibles, eyes and hearts – love this, Betsy! Shared with my fb readers. You always have a down-to-earth approach. And that graphic! SWEEEEEETTTT!!!
Absolutely love this Betsy! What wonderful tips that we need to remember especially this month. I am determined to keep God’s will front and center in my life going forward. I am definitely sharing this post. have a wonderful weekend and a blessed month of December as we celebrate our Savior’s birth!