It was Saturday morning. Saturday was the day I did everything related to home that didn't get done during the work week. That Saturday, I had an afternoon event, so everything had to get done that morning. A trip to the pharmacy to get pills, a visit to the post office to mail a parcel, and a weekly visit to the grocery store were all on the list to do. As soon as it opened, I was off to the post office, and then the pharmacy. This made me an hour later than usual at the grocery store, and it seemed that everyone in town had decided to shop then and there.

Give me patience, I prayed, as someone ran over my heels and another little old soul smashed into the front of my cart. I persevered and made my way to the checkout counter. "Do you need bags?" the clerk asked.

I pointed to a bag full in the cart and replied, "I have plenty, thanks." But looks can be deceiving.

After paying, I put the cart at the end of the checkout, and reached for my bag of bags. It felt a little heavy, but I shrugged, reached in, and pulled out … a library book. "Excuse me," I said to the clerk, "but could I have six bags, please? Somehow groceries don't fit in library books."

Just like Samuel, I thought, "Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7b RSV)

As the Advent season arrives, we need to look into our hearts. We need to cleanse them and prepare a place to welcome the Christ Child. Through our inward searching and repentance, God will cleanse our hearts that they be a worthy home for the Lord Jesus.

1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV)

Just as we prepare our houses and homes for Christmas guests, so we prepare our hearts to welcome the Christ Child –- our Lord and Saviour. We can sing again as we did as children the hymn by Henry D. Clarke:

Into my heart, into my heart,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus;
Come in today, come in to stay,
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we would ask You to enter in and make our hearts Your home. Thank You for the great, sacrificial gift that You gave us: Your life. Help us to be worthy tenants of Your world and to live our lives for You. May we be Your servants and Your messengers here to carry the good news of Your birth and salvation wherever we go. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

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About the author:

Ellen Channon <yln1655@gmail.com>
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
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