How are you preparing for Christmas? Some bravely hang off ladders, precariously attaching lights to every corner of the house. Others find tantalizing recipes to delight the taste buds. Whatever your task, success may depend on one surprising secret ingredient – humility. It’s been said that humility is staying teachable regardless of how much you know.

I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way.

Mark 1:2

John the Baptist’s great mission in life was to prepare the world for the coming Messiah…and he did a great job! He was amazingly popular, establishing a large following of dedicated believers. Yet when Jesus arrived on the scene, instead of pride and swagger over his accomplishments, John conveyed an “it’s not about me” attitude. He told his loyal listeners, “He must increase but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) At the pinnacle of his greatest success, John humbly pointed others to Christ.

Is America prepared for the future? You can help by praying for leaders in government to be humble and to make room for Jesus in their lives and in their work. Pray, too, for fellow believers during this special season to point only to Christ in their celebration of His birth and in anticipation of His next arrival.

Recommended Reading: Isaiah 40:3-11