We have been talking (in this season of Advent) about the need for a "personal coming of the Lord into each of our minds."  How is it that our minds are spiritually prepared for such a coming?  Perhaps the below article (from New Church Life, 1974) might help to answer that question.  

Christmas Season Blessings,

Ethan

The announcement to Mary, about the coming birth of the Lord, represents a fleeting perception deep within the mind of the source of innocence, and of the way [it is to be born in us]. Immediately following this there comes into the mind the first conception of the way innocence is to be produced. The true path of life, the way the Lord would have us live, is conceived in the understanding part of our mind, and in due season will come forth as a living thing.

Before this can come to pass though, there must be a thorough, rigorous and well-organized self-examination. It is one thing to know how we should live, and quite another thing to bring this knowledge forth to life. 

The truths of the Word simply cannot be applied to life unless there is a regular, calm, and orderly [spiritual inventory taken]. This kind of examination is aptly portrayed in the story of the enrollment decreed by Caesar Augustus, for it was an enrollment (not a taxation as erroneously translated in the Authorized Version of the Word). The Roman ruler wished to know the extent of his domain, by which is meant, spiritually speaking, that the natural mind is to be completely examined.  ”All the world should be enrolled". Every affection and thought is to present itself in its own city, according to its parentage. Every affection and thought in the natural mind must stand up and be numbered.

Only in Bethlehem, only in the state of mind where the Divine purpose or intention behind  the literal commandments is seen, only here can the desire or willingness to live according to that Divine intent be brought to life. This is the coming of the Lord into our mind. This is the advent of the Lord, so long awaited, so long prayed for-the birth of a strong wish to do the Lord's will simply because it is the Lord's will, simply because it is what the Lord, in His love and wisdom and mercy, intends to be the order of life for human beings. In this joyous new state, evils are shunned simply because they are against the Lord, not [as before], because they might bring punishment down upon our heads (in this life or in the next).

 Like every newborn life, this wish to live according to Divine order needs protection. So it is said that the babe was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.