Dear friends in Christ, grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.

When I was as a Boy Scout, I learned the motto, “Be Prepared.”  In college, I embraced the words,  “Proper preparation prevents poor performance.”  And as a seminary student, I brought this to a new level, “Powerful preaching demands plenty of practice and preparation.”  So when I was arrived in my first congregation, I was convinced I had all skills necessary to be a good preacher, until one Sunday.   As the congregation filed out of the church no one said a word beyond the pleasantries of “Good morning.” Towards the end of the line, there was a thoughtful parishioner who always commented on my sermons.  I knew I could count on her. “Pastor,” she said, “Today your sermon reminded me of the peace and love of God.” I was thrilled. “No-one has ever said anything like that,” I responded. “Tell me why.” She looked around cautiously and whispered, “Well – it reminded me of the Peace of God because it passed all understanding and the Love of God because it endured forever!” Granted, I have fallen down a few times since in my preaching, but I have always tried to be consistent in my preparation.

For most of us the season of Advent is a time of preparation and waiting most often limited to buying presents, planning menus, and writing Christmas cards.  Christmas is a wonderful time of year. It has the potential to bring out the best in our human character- a sense of charity, a nobleness in giving, a dimension of wonder and reverence for the Word of God entering our human story, and a good dose of laughter.

This morning’s gospel, however, reminds us that there is more to our seasonal preparations than simply purchasing gifts and decorating the Christmas tree.  In the message of John the Baptist, we are encouraged to “Prepare the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight.”  Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill made low, and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” John does not speak of gifts and holiday parties. He speaks simply of inward preparation- the results of which few we cannot see. These preparations allow the miracle of God’s presence to happen.   So today, I would like you to consider: What inward change is necessary for the miracle of salvation truly to enter into your life and the life of your family?   What hurdle do you need to navigate? Is it a matter of purity, passion or pride?

Let us begin with purity.  It is not easy to speak of purity and change as preparation for Christmas.  Change is never easy.  As the saying goes, “The only people who like change are babies with bad diapers.” And yet John Welwood writes, “The most powerful agent of growth and transformation is something much more basic than any technique: a change of heart.”  But would it make a difference in your life and relationship if you made purity a hallmark? Years ago, when I was a high school choir director, I received a little embroidered wall plaque from a student. It said, “Mr. Haug- 99.9% pure.”  I liked that plaque, and I considered the sentiment to be a great compliment.  But have you ever thought about that .1%?  What difference would it make if you moved towards perfection? With that in mind, let me share some statistics. If 99.9% is good enough for you then. . In America, twelve newborns would be given to the wrong parents every day. Two and one half million books would be shipped with the wrong covers. Two planes landing at Chicago’s O’Hare airport would be unsafe every day. Three hundred fifteen entries in Webster’s Dictionary would be misspelled. Eight hundred eighty thousand credit cards in circulation would turn out to have incorrect cardholder information on their magnetic strips. Two hundred ninety-one pacemaker operations would be performed incorrectly.

Although we may state that we are quite satisfied with the thought of 99.9% perfection and success, the reality is that we do have higher expectations. We expect perfection from our doctors, our airline pilots, our credit card companies, and our dictionary publishers. They are to be 100% right in what they do.  So why can’t we expect that same degree from ourselves? Now, I know that there are times when perfection just isn’t possible… raising children for instance.  It’s rather an imperfect science. Rather like nailing Jell-o to the wall. There are times when we settle for less than our best; it happens in the purity of language with which we speak to our loved ones, it is in the purity of our thoughts by which we contemplate our neighbors, it is in the purity and sincerity of the design we have for the work of our co-workers; it happens in the the purity of heart we have in sharing our financial means with others.  Change may be necessary.  Purity may be your problem this year.  Do not be ashamed or compromised by the attitude, “Well, no one is perfect.” Strive for that remaining .1% of perfection and purity.

Let us turn now to a change of passion. There are six core needs that create personal satisfaction and fulfillment in life. They are significance, connection, growth, contribution, certainty and variety.  These are meaningful and life-giving needs, but if they are missing in your life, perhaps it is time to redirect your passion.  Unfortunately, for most of us this change demands letting go.  It means letting go of the need to be important, the need to be busy, and the image of being needed.  At such moments when men and women are on the verge of breaking down, no longer able to cope with the long work hours and high pressure jobs, it is easy to make the wrong change- to redirect their passions. In these moments, you must examine your need, and not simply what looks good. It is time to embrace John the Baptist call to prepare the way.

To live is to change. Passions change as well. I remember a wise, old pastor once saying to me when I was complaining about a stubborn and inflexible congregation, “Well, Arden, if nothing changes, nothing changes!” And he stared at me. Of course, he was telling me that I needed change if I wanted things to be different.  My friends, the change you are seeking in your life, the changed passion and direction, may need to begin with you.  After all, you are the only person that you can change.  So when is it time?  Simply said, “When your needs and desires are no longer being met.”

Finally, let us turn to pride. It’s a favorite prayer of mine that speaks to our stubbornness and change, “Dear Lord, When I am wrong make me willing to change, and when I am right make me easy to live with.” It is said that when you discover that you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.  But pride and the fear of change often prevents us from taking that step. In life, as in business, we find other strategies.  We try buying a stronger whip. Changing riders. Saying things like “This is the way we always have ridden this horse.” Appointing a committee to study the horse, or harnessing several dead horses together for increased speed.  We simply can’t face the need for change- especially when it is in our own lives.

It’s never too late to change. One of the most beautiful aspects of the Christian gospel is that God loves change.  He loves you before you change, as you change, and whether you change or not.  But your pride may be an obstacle to God’s change. John the Baptist’s call to prepare the way reminds us that we must be about changing all the time. Why, you may ask. As you allow God to change you, you gradually become more and more the person you were created for. Do not let pride bar the way, for if you decide that you are always right, and never alter your opinions, your lifestyle, your habits, and never admit you are wrong, you of all people are the most deceived. Yes, you may grow old, but you will never grow wise.

The Good News that we prepare to celebrate at Christmas is the story of men and women living broken, shattered and misdirected lives who meet Jesus, and who do not stay the same. They welcome him so changed that they can hardly recognize themselves.  Be prepared. Proper preparation prevents poor performance.  God already knows what you may become.  And he is offering you the power even now, so that you may enjoy life – to it fullest by changing to a more loving and loveable you.  It is risky business requiring humility, courage, and honesty, but it is also richly rewarding.

My friends, Jesus lived this life and John the Baptist showed us the Way. He was prepared.  Are you? Amen.

May the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Amen.