Hello again, friends, and welcome to A Word from the Vine. I’m Pastor Loren Christensen, and as we prepare our hearts for Christmas during this Advent season, I want to take a moment to talk about preparation—not just outward preparation with decorations and gifts, but inward preparation for the coming of our King.
Let me take you to the wilderness, where John the Baptist stood, calling people to get ready. He proclaimed these powerful words from the prophet Isaiah:
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways.” (Luke 3:4–5)
Now, what does that mean? John wasn’t talking about paving highways or leveling hills in a literal sense. He was talking about preparing hearts—clearing out anything that would keep people from receiving the Messiah.
Think about it this way: if you knew a king was coming to visit your home, you’d make sure everything was in order. You’d clean, rearrange, maybe even make some repairs. You wouldn’t let the king arrive to find your house cluttered and neglected, would you?
And yet, how often do we leave our hearts cluttered when it comes to Jesus?
We let pride, sin, distractions, and busyness pile up, making it hard for Him to take His rightful place in our lives. Advent is a time to clear the way, to make room for the King.
So how do we do that?
First, we repent. That was John’s message, plain and simple. Repentance means turning away from sin and turning toward God. It’s a change of heart and direction, a recognition that we need Him to make us new.
Second, we surrender. Preparing the way of the Lord means letting go of the things that take up space in our hearts—things like bitterness, selfishness, and fear. We can’t hold onto those things and still leave room for Jesus.
Finally, we make Him the priority. Advent is about more than the hustle and bustle of the season. It’s about slowing down and focusing on the One who came to save us.
Friends, I want to challenge you this week: ask yourself, What’s cluttering my heart? What do I need to clear away so that Jesus can take His rightful place?
When we prepare the way—when we make room for the King—something beautiful happens. Our hearts become the very places where His love, peace, and joy can dwell.
Thank you for joining me today on A Word from the Vine. Until next time, may you make room for Jesus in every part of your life this season.
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