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As I take time out to slow down this season, my mind is thinking of how I prepare my home for Jesus.

Home is where love dwells. Mary and Joseph prepared a home for the newborn Jesus. If we knew God would be stopping by our homes today, how would we prepare for His visit? I am sure we would clean up the house. In the same way, our hearts can be prepared to welcome Christ. From God’s heart to our hearts and from God’s home to our home, we prepare a habitation for Christ.

Even Jesus said, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

My memories of Christmas are always very vivid. My mother was extremely talented. At one time, we lived where she had a salon in the basement of the house. She decorated the stairwell with greenery, deep red bows and life size white doves which cascaded down the steps. At the bottom of the steps, she had beautiful lights on the landing, and she made white fluffy clouds. Large gold angels were standing over the place where she laid my doll -swaddled in fabric. It looked as though baby Jesus was right there and he would coo any moment. I would sit for hours on the bottom step and pretend to care for baby Jesus, my heart drawn to the little baby Jesus.

As I grow older, preparation runs deep within my heart. I remember those hours of caring for baby Jesus through blessing others and appreciating the time that someone spends with me. It takes time to “prepare.” It leads me to conclude that God is and always will love all humanity. Why?

Because of Gods’ preparation. He prepared to send his only son that first Christmas night. His son left heaven above to be with us here below. He sent him because he loved us. How the angels must have watched him leave and then at birth-gazed at beautiful baby Jesus.

God desires to be with us forever. It is up to us to choose to be with him. As Christ Followers, may we be prepared so others can gaze at our lives and see Jesus. May we prepare to love as God loves us!

Yvette Perrin can be reached at theword2yvette@gmail.com.