This Advent our midweek services followed the theme, "Come, Lord Jesus." The point was that in Advent there are three ways in which we observe Jesus’ coming to us. He came the first time in the flesh, as a descendant of the woman (Eve) as the fulfillment of God’s promise. Now he comes to us regularly in his Word and Sacrament. But he has also promised to come again at the end of time.
I preached last Wednesday (was that really just a week ago?) for the final midweek service. I used Revelation 22, the last chapter in the Bible, for that service. I just love the way that chapter wraps up the Bible and sets the stage for life until Jesus comes. Our whole lives (not just during Advent) hinge on Jesus’ words "Behold, I am coming soon." And so in a sense, our whole lives are one long Advent season, and our constant prayer during this time is "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." Our "Amen" is our confession of faith that we believe he is coming for us, just as he said.
Over the past several years I have come to enjoy Advent more and more each season. Like I’ve said before, it really heightens the celebration of Christmas when you’ve been waiting in Advent. It gets sort of challenging when you live in a world and society that can’t wait for anything. But Christians are by definition "waiters". We have to, because Jesus said he is coming. And really, what greater joy can we have but to wait upon the sure promise of Jesus? Christmas proves he keeps his promises. His Word and Sacrament show him keeping his promises.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
A Shepherd's Story 