Advent: Come Lord Jesus, Come

This past Friday, as I sat in a Christmas luncheon at the local university, with 100 other people, we read in unison a Moravian Prayer. It began like this, “Come Lord Jesus, our guest to be…” I had to smile at the realization God is continuing to beckon me toward the manger. We are all invited to get a little closer to Christ this Christmas.

In just a few short days, Jesus will be born to us and the world yet again. At His birth, He becomes our Immanuel.

Each year, the closer I get to Christmas, the harder it is to focus on what really matters. The world distracts me. But as I wrap our gifts and place them under the tree, I am reminded of the gift we are about to receive. Advent is our season to slow down, get ready and prepare to receive Him.

Am I ready to receive the greatest gift ever given? Come Lord Jesus…

In week one of this advent blog, I mentioned my Christmas bucket list. Special things I want to do this Christmas. All designed to bring me closer to Him. However, there are just a few days left and I feel like I am running out of time. But, I do still have time.

I want to do the things that matter. I want to see just how close I can get to that manger. To take a peek at that infant-King, and catch a glimpse of God-in-flesh. I want to see Him and know Him more.

So with only four days left until Christmas morning, what am I going to do?

On Saturday, I plan to attend a Christmas Eve service. Why? Because in that small window of time, I can slow down, sit and wait. As I draw near to Him, I can be confident that God will draw near to me.

On the night before Christmas, me and my family will gather around the Christmas tree and sing “Silent Night Holy Night, all is calm, all is bright.” We will lift up our voices, honoring the night before Christmas in a new way. As we drift off to sleep, it will not be “visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads,” but an expectation of our Savior’s birth.

On Sunday, December 25th, me and my family will gather in the living room and take time to read the Christmas story.
Before one single gift is opened, we will open our Bibles and receive the greatest gift ever given.

How can we move into a state of excited expectation of our coming King?

It is not too late to make Christmas matter and receive the gift of Jesus.

First, make a plan today. Think it out, write it down, discuss it with your family.
Second, read the Christmas story from your Bible, found in Luke 2. “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ” Keep reading.
Sing some carols. Here are a few of my favorites; O Come, All Ye Faithful, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, O Holy Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, and What Child Is This?
Have a prayer and ask God to be with you in a special way this Christmas. And be confident, He is our Immanuel, God with us.

God is not Santa Claus, making his list and checking it twice. God is love and that LOVE came down to us at Christmas. Jesus is lying in that manger, patiently waiting on us to come to Him.

Although the words “Come Lord Jesus come” have been rolling around in my head for weeks now, I finally realize Jesus is actually asking me to come. It’s not me calling Jesus. It is God inviting me and inviting you.

Jesus is saying “Come.”
All who are thirsty, come
If you are weary, come

If you are sick, burdened, or heavy-laden, come.

You who are hungry, come.

All are welcome, Come.
Come to the manger.
Come to the table.
Wherever you are, Jesus is inviting you to come.

Do the things that matter. Do what brings you closer to Him.

Christmas is the perfect time to come to Jesus. To give your heart, surrender yourself, rededicate your life to Him! Jesus really is the reason for the Season. And God is at the center of it all. Won’t you come to Christ this Christmas?

Let us pray,
Come Lord Jesus. Come be Immanuel to us. Remind us you are with us and in us always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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P.S. Leave me a comment below. No really, leave me a comment and let me know what you plan to do to draw closer to God this season. Forward this message to a friend and ask them to subscribe to my website. Post on Facebook and tag and and others in it. Share, share, share. Let’s spread the love of Christ this Christmas. -M