It's supposed to be "the most wonderful time of the year." But it usually doesn't feel like it. Between deadlines and decorating, shopping and baking, the countdown to Christmas can easily become more of a burden than a blessing. Thankfully God’s Word helps to prepare sleeplessly. While we might wish that we could go the next month without any sleep, that’s impossible. However, it is possible to wait for Jesus without any spiritual sleep. Jesus’ presence among us now in Word and Sacraments enables us to wait for his arrival on the last day wide awake. Scripture implores us: “Night is nearly over; day is almost here!”