Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you.
Another way of saying this is to “prepare your minds for action”. When a soldier girded on his sword he was getting ready to go out and fight. So we are to prepare for action. We are to be self-controlled. We are to keep our hope for the Lord’s coming alive in our thoughts and hearts. Our thoughts are easily distracted and changed. Let’s make an extra effort to keep them under control and think about Jesus and His coming again. Today is the day when most of the world celebrate the birth of Jesus - His first coming into the world. Many of them are not ready for His second coming - and it’s almost here!