Isaiah 61:3 says, “To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”

If we go out today (temperature is presently 8 degrees) most will wear a coat and try to protect our body from the cold air. Putting on the garment of praise from this scripture has a valuable meaning for believers. We all believe in praise, but the word ‘garment’ suggest that praise is like a wrap or covering, not something causally draped over the shoulders, but a garment that is tightly wrapped around us with no openings which would allow hostile elements to enter our spirit-man.

We must realize that putting on the garment of praise allows our whole being to respond to God’s mercy over the needs of our lives. Praise is exchanged or replaces heaviness, discouragement, doubt and fear. While considering “What am I going to do?”, or “How will I get the finances needed,” just have a praise session and see how your heart, your spirit-man, opens up to the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will bring clarity and take away the heaviness that comes with worry. “When distressed, be dressed-with praise.”

Read Psalm 150. This beautiful praise scripture ends with this: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Praise the Lord!

Have you ever noticed that the day before can be a day of great anticipation that something good is going to happen tomorrow, or a day that we might dread to happen? For instance, we love Christmas Eve because Christmas Day usually means opening gifts, dinner with the family and time to relax.

The eve of a wedding is usually filled with excitement, joy and asking the question, “Am I marrying the right person?”  Through the years I have had people tell me that the day before they almost backed out and now were extremely happy they didn’t. On the other hand, I know of others who had the same feeling, didn’t back out and later faced divorce.

The eve of a big event, such as buying a home or vehicle where one has to sign the proverbial dotted line, is always filled with confident thoughts or a lot of questions about doing the right thing.

The eve of a surgical procedure can be filled with stress concerning the outcome.

The eve of a major business meeting is often met with dread as to whether you can make the “perfect” presentation.

The eve of a big test in high school or college makes one nervous as they consider the questions they will have to answer.

There are many days before a big event that we know are coming and how we face them will determine our future.  There is a DAY coming as described in this scripture, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NKJV), “For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

If we read and study the Bible we know that this time must be near.  Many people who have prophetic insight are saying the Lord’s return is close at hand.  Therefore, His coming will be some DAY; my question is, “Do we understand that the eve of this event is today and everyday until our Lord returns?”  My advice is be prepared by being ready. Actually, there will be no time to think things over, no opportunities to reconsider, no questions about right or wrong, and no hoping the next day can be be postponed. If Jesus comes back today, we should have been ready yesterday on the eve of His return. Should He come tomorrow then be ready today. Getting ready is truly accepting Jesus as the Savior of your soul. Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

May your Christmas Eve be blessed as well as the Eve of the return of Jesus!