"Wake, awake, for night is flying,"
The watchmen on the heights are crying;
"Awake, Jerusalem, arise!"
This Ancient hymn admonishes us to pay attention, because time is fleeting. Christ’s return is approaching.
In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus asked the disciples to watch and pray, because the time of the great battle for the redemption of mankind was only hours away, repeatedly he returns to find them sleeping.
As we prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas, we are reminded that Christ has promised to return for the final redemption of all mankind. And boy, do we need it! Everywhere we look we see the signs of corruption. We see the evidence of mankind’s selfish desires to please themselves, so often at the abandonment of those in need.
The cry to wake up is not just a cry to those who are in need of salvation it is also very much a cry to those who God’s has redeemed. God has given us the resources to reach out and help those in need. We need not look far to find someone who is hurting, someone who feels abandon or hopeless. Christ is the Way the Truth and The Light. He has broken through the darkness and chaos that our sin and selfishness has caused. He has declared our debt for sin paid and has assured us of our place in His kingdom. Thus he has empowered us with His Word that we might live not for ourselves, but reach out to those trapped in the sinful chaos of this World.
As we prepare for the coming Christmas season may we also recommit ourselves to the ministry of reconciliation Jesus has given to us. May our song of praise not simply be the Words of our Christmas carols, but also the actions of our lives as we offer ourselves as living examples of Christ love and forgiveness. May the words of this great hymn describe not just our voices but also our actions.
Now let all the heav'ns adore Thee,
Let men and angels sing before Thee,
With harp and cymbal's clearest tone.