Joy to the world, the Lord is come

Let earth receive her King

Let every heart prepare Him room

And Heaven and nature sing

And Heaven and nature sing

And Heaven and Heaven and nature sing


This familiar and beloved Christmas carol exudes anticipation of the coming King. When we sing this song, we partake in advent, a time of preparation. Did you know when we sing this carol, we are not only declaring the first coming of Christ, but announcing the second coming as well? The Lord has come, and the Lord is coming. Joy to the World. Prepare Him room.

Advent is a season of anticipation, preparing our hearts to receive our King!

The preparation of our hearts and minds allows us to experience Christmas differently. When we know Jesus has come, He is God with us, and He is coming back, our heart posture shifts. Engaging in the season of advent with seriousness and gratitude allows us to continually receive our King over and over. We celebrate the birth of Jesus; remember why He came and what He did for us on the cross and look forward with great anticipation of His second coming.

When Jesus ascended into heaven, following His death and resurrection, He assured us of His second coming, by telling us He was making room for us in heaven.

“Don’t worry or surrender to your fear. For you’ve believed in God, now trust and believe in me also. My Father’s house has many dwelling places. If it were otherwise, I would tell you plainly, because I go to prepare a place for you to rest. And when everything is ready, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am. And you already know the place where I’m going.”
John 14:1-3 TPT

Jesus is making room for YOU. I don’t know about you, but I like to imagine Jesus gussying up a place for us in heaven, I can see Him dusting, vacuuming, and making that space extra special for us. Jesus too, is waiting in anticipation for His second coming. And while He waits, He is actively making space for us. So, we too, must take the time to make space for Him!

“Concerning that day or exact hour, no one knows when it will arrive, not the angels of heaven, not even the Son- only the Father knows. This is why you must be waiting, watching, and praying, because no one knows when that season of time will come.” Mark 13:32 TPT

On this Christmas Eve, I want you to take a moment and consider:

How have I prepared Him room this advent season? How can I continually prepare Him room? How do I live in an advent and anticipatory mindset, not just at Christmas, but always?

- Kierstin Almstrum, ARISE Director of Online Operations and Project Management