Prepared??

As I was in Walmart last night at 10 pm, after a long night at youth group, I saw the sign that made my heart skip a beat! It said '8 days 'til Christmas.' Now, I knew that but to see it made me nearly have a panic attack! I'm not prepared!! I haven't wrapped any presents, I still have a few cards to get out, I need to deliver a few packages, I have to clean my house, I need to buy a few last small gifts, and I know I need to get some food for Christmas dinner. Then I stopped to think about it and more than anything, my heart isn't prepared. Here it is the time of year that we celebrate my Savior's birth, and I haven't even taken any time to reflect on that because I feel like I've been running a marathon to get things done. In the big scheme of things, none of the other to do's matter. All that matters is that a baby was born in a manger on a dark night, and the reason he was born was to save the world. Why do we get so stressed over everything WE make Christmas? Why can't we just simply spend this season focusing on and worshipping our Savior? I need to take time in the next week to prepare my heart, as I've been preparing presents, cards, and everything else. If my heart isn't prepared then I will just go through the season and never focus on the importance of the holy night of our Savior's birth.

He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:5-20