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Last Sunday, I preached about the angel who heralded the birth of John the Baptist who would prepare the people for Jesus, the messiah. He came with a message, "repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2) I encouraged us to prepare ourselves for the second coming of Christ in the same way, through repentance of sin and belief in Jesus Christ. 

In Revelation 14, an angel makes another proclamation, 

"and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters ... Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.” (Revelation 14:7, 12-13)

Preparing for the hour of judgment starts with repenting of our sin and putting our faith in Jesus Christ as the Lord of our lives. However, it doesn't end there. Jesus tells us "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23). Are you preparing yourself daily to stand before God, the maker of heaven and earth, during the hour of judgement? I pray this Christmas is not only a time of celebration in our church, but also a time of preparation.