{{2012_12_01_t1.jpg}} {{2012_12_01_t2.jpg}} {{2012_12_01_t3.jpg}} [[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/de/doku.php/jn_de_2012_12_01|Deutsche Version]] [[Start|| Wiki Start]] [[topics_collection_iv|| Topics Collection iv ]] ======Open up - the somewhat different Advent Calender I ...====== Saturday, Dec 1, 2012. Advent is a time of preparation in the Christian world. For Christians, it is a time where we prepare for the celebration of Christmas, the advent of Jesus. In the 24 days leading to Christmas we want to go through a "somewhat different advent calender". We want to prepare as indicated by Psalm 24. {{2012_12_01.jpg }} **Open up ...** Today, we start with the second part of this psalm. It talks about the opening of the ancient doors, the ancient gates. Open up, ancient gates! Some translations also write "open the ancient gates", or "lift up our heads, o gates". The psalm writes about preparations, which we do for the Lord to come. The preparations have to do with his character, with the nature of the Lord. It has to do with his purpose, with his goals and targets for our world and our life. Preparation is needed for us ... Every day we want to take one preparation step. Today, at the first day of the advent season, we start with preparing our hearts. Do we want the doors to open? Do we want the gates to become wide? Do we want the Lord to come to us? Let us start with a clear "yes"! Let us start with the clear wish and prayer: "Lord, come to us!" and "Lord, come to me!" Let us pray the Psalm 24 together ... starting with this well-known second part. {{ 2012_12_01_2.jpg}} **Psalm 24, Preparation for the Lord to come ...** 7 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. 8 Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, invincible in battle. 9 Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter. 10 Who is the King of glory? The Lord of Heaven’s Armies— he is the King of glory. It can be a fantastic time to prepare your heart for the Lord. He wants to talk to us. He wants to show us who he is. He has promised unbelievable joy to those who find him. And indeed, the joy is there! Enter his gates ... open up, ancient gates! (Roland Potthast) [[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/en/doku.php/topics_collection_iv|... more texts]]