Have you had the experience of looking forward to family or friends from out of town coming to stay with you? Most of you probably have. Remember the anticipation and planning that went into having things ready for guests? You did some decluttering and planning what to eat. You made sure that the linens were clean, and things were organized in the bathroom. You know the drill.

Recently, we had that experience when some relatives came to stay with us. We couldn’t wait for them to come. We’ve always enjoyed their company. This time was no exception. We told stories, laughed, ate, sang songs, and ate some more. It was a great time that went by too fast. We’re already looking forward to being with them again.  Maybe you’re going through some of those same preparations during this holiday time.

Recently we’re reminded that even countries can experience getting ready for guests to arrive. On November 14, President Xi Jinping, at the invitation of President Biden, arrived in San Francisco for a China-U.S. Summit meeting and for the 30^th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. As you may know, the once beautiful city of San Francisco has been deteriorating due to rampant crime, drugs, and an out-of-control homeless population. As a result, major businesses have announced they’re leaving the city.

However, within days of President Xi Jinping’s arrival, the homeless were cleared off the streets, the sidewalks were cleared of human excrement, trees were planted, graffiti painted over, trash removed, broken windows fixed, etc., etc.  A major cleanup took place, in a few days. The New York Times described the city’s activities as “teenagers frantically cleaning up after a home party with their parents on the way home.” Governor Newsome admitted the cleanup was because of “fancy leaders” who were “coming to town”.

We’ve talked about the preparation individuals and governments take when getting ready for times with relatives – and royalty. You may wonder why we’re writing about this topic at this time. It’s because preparation is also happening with religion as Christians prepare during the Advent season.

This year, Advent starts on December 3. The word Advent comes from the Latin Ad (to) and Venire (come). It can be translated as anticipating an arrival. Advent is the four-week period when Christians anticipate, and celebrate, the birth of Jesus. Advent dates are flexible, always starting on the Sunday closest to St. Andrews Day (November 30) and ending on Christmas Eve.

Even though Jesus came to be known as the King of Kings, his arrival was unlike that usually reserved for ‘royalty’. The governing body of Bethlehem wasn’t frantically cleaning up the city to impress the newly arriving guest. There were no reservations at a first class hotel for him to stay. In fact, there was literally “no room at the inn” anywhere in the city. It got so bad that the only accommodations were in a “lowly manger” in a stable, normally reserved for animals.

Fast forward to today. With what’s happening in the world, particularly around Israel, people may sense urgency to not only celebrate Jesus’ birth, but also to anticipate, and prepare, for His return. Many pieces of the puzzle seem to be falling in place for what could be very ‘interesting’ times ahead. As with the anticipated arrival of any guest, whether they be family, friend – or royalty, we need to prepare and be ready.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer talked about the need to be ready. Bonhoeffer was a German theologian, and anti-Nazi dissident.  He was imprisoned for his faith by the Nazis. From Tegel Prison Camp on November 29, 1943, Bonhoeffer wrote a letter to his parents. He said, “We can, and should also, celebrate Christmas despite the ruins around us…I think of you as you now sit together with the children and with all the Advent decorations – as in earlier years you did with us. We must do all this, even more intensely because we do not know how much longer we have.” Bonhoeffer was hung by the Nazis in 1945. He was only 39 years old.

What about you? How will you be preparing for this coming Advent season? It’s easy to get drawn into the frenzied time of shopping and holiday noise and forget about the ‘reason for the season”. Instead, reflect on how you can prepare your heart and mind to celebrate the true meaning of Jesus’ birth through special music, prayer, and fellowship with family, friends, and others. As Bonhoeffer said, “…we do not know how much longer we have.”

We wish you many blessings during this Advent season as you remember, celebrate, and prepare for this special guest!

Chanhassen MN residents, Doug and Lynn Nodland are success coaches and owners of The Balance Center in Excelsior. Contact them at WeCare@TheBalanceCenter.com

© Doug and Lynn Nodland 2023 Articles and videos may be shared in their entirety with attribution.