Get ready for God

It's the beginning of December, and you're already getting ready for Christmas. You've started your Christmas list for Santa, helped your family put up a Christmas tree and tried to be extra good so Santa will know about it.

But Christmas is also Jesus' birthday. How are you getting ready for Him? In this week's Gospel (Matthew 3:1-12), Jesus' cousin, John the Baptist, warns us to stay close to Jesus all the time, because the gifts He brings are even better than Santa's!

John the Baptist baptized many people in the Jordan River. He told them, "I'm baptizing you with water, but when Jesus comes, He'll baptize you with the Holy Spirit -- so be ready for Him!"

It's fun to write a list for Santa of all the presents you're wishing for, but getting ready for Jesus, who was born at Christmas, is even more important. There are lots of ways you can get ready for Jesus:

* pray when you get up, when you go to bed and whenever you want in between;

* try to be good -- not just so Santa will bring you presents, but so Jesus will be proud of you; and

* look at the toys and clothes you got for other Christmases, and ask your parents to give the ones you're too big for now to kids who are too poor to get lots of Christmas gifts.

Getting ready for Christmas is fun, and Santa will probably bring you some presents. But if Jesus sees you're being good, He'll bring an even better gift: the Holy Spirit, who's part of God and lives in our hearts, helping us feel close to Jesus forever!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me remember that Christmas isn't just about Santa -- it's really about you! Amen.

(12-03-98) [[In-content Ad]]