Preparations

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Nothing makes me quite so happy as planning a party. Once the date is on the calendar, and the invitations have been made, that satisfying endeavor of planning begins to take shape. There’s the consideration of the menu, the deliberation over various recipes, the inventory of resources, and the ultimate grocery list, including fresh flowers.

Then the really fun part: scheduling all the small tasks that must be completed before the eventual reveal when the first guests arrive. It’s often a bit of a puzzle to fit the individual projects into the number of hours available. There’s shopping, food preparation, table design and scaping, flower arranging, candle wick trimming, serving dishes brought down from the upper regions of cabinets (my husband’s height and long arms being quite indispensable), candy treats placed strategically, fresh hand towels placed in the powder room, and a myriad other things necessary to complete the desired effect.

Consequently, I really do have a spreadsheet with a timetable of tasks, available resources, and completion times. So full of promise, and so very satisfying. If the planning and execution are done well, both the hostess and the guests are able to relax and enjoy themselves. My close friends have heard me remark that I would almost rather plan the thing than participate in it. But that’s just a bit of surface drama, and not really true at all. I do love the gathering, the music, the laughter and the sharing. As the song goes: These are a few of my favorite things.

So, we continue in the third week of Advent, pondering that which the soul longs for and meditating on the appearing of Christ and His incarnation, and we find joy welling in the conviction of God’s promises. He keeps them. No matter how long the wait, He keeps them. He plans, He speaks, and He accomplishes. “So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11 NASB) Joy, the eternal strength that sustains us, comes with His promises. Light breaks upon the dark night of the soul.

Dear One, what longings do you have that might be met in the promises of God? What might you do to make hospitable room for your King and Savior? Plan for Him to arrive, and He will come and dine with you. (Revelation 3:20)

Until next week, beloved, prepare Him room and throw open the door of your heart.