"Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of Thy only-begotten
Son: that by His Coming we may be worthy to serve Thee with purified
minds." (The "Collect" for the 2nd Sunday of Advent).
Here lies the secret; if our _hearts_ are stirred up there will be
little difficulty about our _wills_. If I _love_, I shall gladly make
efforts, no trouble will be too much, no work too exacting, no sacrifice
too great, no mortification too hard. "_If you love Me, keep My
commandments._" My will is to be stirred up to _seek_, but my heart is
to be stirred up to _prepare_. It is my King Who is coming, He Who has a
right to my heart, and He is quite sure to pass by my way, for to win my
heart and make it all His own is one of the special reasons of His
Coming. No pains, no cost shall be spared in my preparation; my heart
shall be decorated with the flowers that I know He loves and hung with
banners which shall speak of my gratitude for all He has done. This is
the preparation of the heart--the preparation of _love_; and it will not
stop at my own heart, for if I really love my King I shall take an
interest in all the work that He is coming to do; I shall try to prepare
His way for Him in the hearts of others; I shall let them know that
JESUS of Nazareth is going to pass by. Perhaps I shall have no
opportunity of speaking about His visit, but the careful preparations I
am making will not go unnoticed--each thing that I do out of love to Him
will in some way or another spread His Kingdom in the hearts of men.
_Colloquy._ With my King Who is coming.
_Resolution._ To do something _to-day_ in preparation.
_Spiritual Bouquet._ "Stir up!"