Mark shares in his gospel the words of Isaiah encouraging preparation for the coming of the Lord. “‘Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way; the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” We often look around and see the slogan, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” And yet, often as we prepare for guests or travel to visit others, we forget Jesus. Rev. Gary Kennedy reminds us of the importance during the chaos of preparation to include God in that preparation. Help us Lord to make you FIRST in our preparation!