Tonight I realised something: I am officially prepared for Christmas. The food is bought and tucked away. The presents are wrapped — with just one still waiting to be delivered. The cards are written, posted, or handed over with a smile.
On paper, everything is done. And it feels good. There’s a quiet satisfaction in seeing the lists ticked off and the preparations complete.
But as I sat for a moment in the stillness of the evening, another question rose gently in my heart: Am I ready for the real reason we celebrate Christmas?
It’s easy to prepare for Christmas. We shop, we wrap, we write, we plan. We fill our homes with lights and our calendars with events.
But being ready for Christmas, truly ready, is something deeper. It’s not about the turkey or the trimmings. It’s not about the perfect gift or the perfect table. It’s about making room for Christ.
It’s about pausing long enough to remember that the heart of Christmas is not found in our preparation, but in God’s gift. A gift wrapped not in paper, but in humanity. A gift delivered not by post, but by love.
The shepherds weren’t prepared. They weren’t expecting angels. They weren’t ready with gifts or cards or tidy schedules.
But when the message came, they responded. They went. They worshipped. They made room in their hearts for the newborn King.
And maybe that’s the invitation for us tonight. To pause. To breathe. To let the noise settle long enough to hear the whisper of Emmanuel — God with us.
So yes, the food is bought.
The presents are wrapped.
The cards are sent.
And that’s wonderful.
But the deeper preparation, the preparation of the heart is the one that matters most. Because Christmas isn’t just a date on the calendar. It’s a celebration of a Saviour who stepped into our world, into our mess, into our humanity, to bring hope, peace, and life.
And that’s something worth being ready for!
The Distinct Dot 