As I write, our British Nymans are winging their way westward, crossing an icy ocean en route to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. Klaus is on his way to meet them while I finish readying the cottage for five very important people.

Hans and Katy made quite a commitment when they purchased plane tickets to come for Christmas. An eight hour flight with three little ones under two is a challenge even for the courageous. When you have a baby squirming in your lap, you can barely retrieve a diaper from the bag at your feet, much less accept your airline meal tray or eat from it.

As Klaus was strapping three complicated car seats into a borrowed van, he said, “Boy, babies are a lot of trouble!”

But even with three trouble-makers, Katy has planned with expertise, making lists and getting them completed. Although she probably didn’t sleep last night wondering what she’d forgotten, she’s one of the better organizers I know, beginning her preparations weeks ago. By yesterday, everything was ready.

In anticipating this visit, I’ve been making preparations, too. Because these five Nymans will be staying five weeks, I wanted them to really settle in once they got here. That meant emptying drawers and a closet, borrowing baby beds and readying the biggest bedroom. Preparing for this afternoon’s arrival meant digging out (and washing) the toys, stockpiling groceries, cleaning out the fridge and putting the extra leaves in the dining table.

It also meant setting up two high chairs and a junior chair, getting a sturdy gate for the top of the steps and baby-proofing the house: no candles low-down, nothing breakable within baby-reach and everything swallowable off the floor.

Lastly I did a thorough cleaning. Jack and I keep a casual house, but there’s something objectionable about picking up a crawling baby with black dog hair all over him.

I’m not sure Katy and Hans would call their vacation preparation “enjoyable”, but I sure had fun getting ready at this end. With each chore, my eagerness for their arrival grew.

During this Christmas season, I’ve thought about the time before Jesus was born when the Jews faithfully maintained a sense of preparedness, eager for Messiah’s coming. We weren’t there for that but do have a chance to prepare for his second arrival on earth. Just as I worked to be ready for the young Nymans I love, I want to also be ready for the Savior I love. I don’t know the calendar specifics, but that shouldn’t discourage me from preparing:

Am I keeping short accounts with him, confessing sin as I become aware of it? Am I living with an expectancy of heaven rather than finding security on earth? Am I daily aware the clock is ticking, working to make the most of time rather than waste it? These are good questions for my preparational list.

And speaking of lists, where did I put that British Airways flight info?

“The Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.” (Matthew 24:44, Luke 12:38)