Week 1 of Advent: Preparation
Let’s say that the CEO of your corporation, whose home office is in another city, informed your boss that he would be coming to your office, but he was not sure which day he would be there. There would be a mixture of feelings that could include excitement, dread, fear, and nervousness. Maybe some would be afraid that he was coming to close your office down. Others might be excited because they’ve had the opportunity to meet him and he is a really good guy with a great sense of humor. Others might have a “wait and see” kind of attitude. Regardless of how staff feel, everyone would be on the alert and busy getting ready for his coming. Each day that went by people would constantly have their eye on the door watching for his arrival.
Now let’s say that months went by and the CEO still hadn’t come. Perhaps staff begin to stop looking for him and all the preparations that were made begin to go back to how things were before. They’d stop keeping an eye on the door and parking lot and then when they least expect it – he arrives. This is how it is with Jesus’s coming – both at his incarnation and for his second coming. Jesus told us in Matthew 24:42:
Therefore be alert, since you don’t
know what day your Lord is coming
When you least expect it
When we expect someone important to arrive, we clean the house. We’re on our best behavior. We invite others to the big event. But when we don’t know when that person is coming, we slack off and we end up caught unawares. Then when we least expect it they show up and they catch as we truly are.
On the alert for the Messiah
Since Adam and Eve sinned, God said He would make a way for redemption and it was eagerly anticipated. From the time Isaiah prophesied about the coming Messiah, it would still be another 600 years before Jesus was born. When Jesus did arrive, He was nothing like what the people had conceived in their minds that the Messiah would be. So they dismissed Him as their long awaited for and anticipated Messiah.
The people were expecting a majestic king, not a lowly baby in a manger. They expected a great military leader, not a kind and gentle miracle worker. Whatever picture they had in their minds about the Messiah – Jesus didn’t measure up to the image they had created. However, had they truly studied the Scriptures, they would have seen that the Messiah was living among them.
On the alert for His second coming
Now, centuries later, we’ve fallen into the same expectation – or rather lack of expectation. Even Paul and the other disciples expected Jesus to return any day following His ascension into Heaven. But Jesus hasn’t returned yet and we’ve lost the expectation of His return. We are not on the alert – watching for His return. We live the way we want to and many of us are going to be caught unaware. What will you be doing the moment Jesus returns? Will you be ashamed or joyful? Will you be ready or left behind?
Be alert: We don’t know when He is coming
The people did not know when He would arrive at His birth and we today do not know when He will come again. In fact, the Bible tells us that even Jesus doesn’t know the moment when He will return again. Only God knows and Jesus simply waits for God to say, “Go get my children.” But since we do not know when He is coming, we need to be living on the alert, watching for His return. Since we don’t know when He will return for us, we need to live every moment as if He is coming in the next moment. If He came today, are you ready?
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This week’s new design is O Holy Night
Frosty stands in the snow against a buffalo plaid background with a layer of burlap in the back. Here’s a design you can wear for Christmas or the entire winter season. If you get matching Christmas PJs for the whole family, we have those too. See them all in the store.
Here are some of our other Christmas Christian tees designs.
Here are a few samples of our Christmas designs. You can see them all in the store. There are only 5 weeks ’til Christmas. All designs are printed when ordered so you’ll need to give time for printing and shipping. Order early to ensure they arrive in time for wearing this holiday season or giving as gifts.
Here are some of our favorite designs
Gnomavirus 
Yo’ Dude! Don’t catch corona! 
Spread Your Faith not your germs 
Stay at Home 
Face Masks now available! 
Anything is possible 
With my song I will praise Him 
All Things New 
Joy of the Lord 
Way Maker 
Walk by Faith 
Script Unstoppable God 
Print Unstoppable God 
Unstoppable Force 
Steps of a Good Man 
I Can Do All Things 
Something New 
Seek and Find 
Revive Us Again 
Resist the Devil 
Raise a Hallelujah 
Path of His Commands 
Prayer Warrior 
Mustard Seed 
Mr and Mrs – Beloved 
Mr and Mrs – God’s Plan 
Man of God 
No Probllama 
He Left 99 for Me 
Cast All Your Cares 
Giants 
Faith over Fear 
Faith Can Move Mountains 
Don’t Worry 
Don’t Quit 
Created to Praise 
All things are Possible 
What the Lord Requires 
Flip flops, beaches & Jesus 
Living for the world to see Jesus 
Is it safe to come out? 
Is it safe to come out – Kids
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What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?
This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
- Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
- Conversation Starters.
- Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
- Romance Builders.
- Relationship Builders.
- Personal reflections.
- Date ideas.
- Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.
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Have you seen Julie’s new book: God, Love and Marshmallow Wars? This book contains 365 daily challenges for couples to strengthen their relationships to each other and with God. Couples will complete activities such as Scripture memory, conversation starters, relationship builders, learning about Biblical marriage, romance builders, personal reflections, and date ideas. 
