O Come, O come, Emanuel.
In the midst of our flashing lights and Idyllic snow scenes as the world rushes to prepare for Christmas, the Church calls us to repent in preparation for the return of Christ and the final judgment.
The Epistle lesson for the 1st Sunday in Advent says,
“Do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is near now than when we first believed.”
(Romans 13:11-14 niv)
John the Baptist cries out, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” Are you ready? Are you preparing the way of the Lord? The popular theme for Christmas is pure fantasy, reality is pushed into the background and we put on our happy face of Joy and “Peace on Earth”
The Advent challenge put forth by St. Paul in the Romans passage and also by John the Baptist is to “understand the present time” Recognize our sinfulness and the part we play in the evil around us. When we recognize it, we repent. We are to change direction. We are to stop turning to human solutions.
John the Baptist says, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” St. Paul says, “Our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”
Jesus, the Light of the World, has shined his light on our sin and removed it. He has given us his righteousness and he calls us to also love as he has loved us. He calls us to give as He has given to us, unconditionally. So, St. Paul says to wake up and start giving as Christ has given to us. To start forgiving as Christ has forgiven us.
Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”
So wake up. Arise and shine!
In the midst of our flashing lights and Idyllic snow scenes as the world rushes to prepare for Christmas, the Church calls us to repent in preparation for the return of Christ and the final judgment.
The Epistle lesson for the 1st Sunday in Advent says,
“Do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is near now than when we first believed.”
(Romans 13:11-14 niv)
John the Baptist cries out, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” Are you ready? Are you preparing the way of the Lord? The popular theme for Christmas is pure fantasy, reality is pushed into the background and we put on our happy face of Joy and “Peace on Earth”
The Advent challenge put forth by St. Paul in the Romans passage and also by John the Baptist is to “understand the present time” Recognize our sinfulness and the part we play in the evil around us. When we recognize it, we repent. We are to change direction. We are to stop turning to human solutions.
John the Baptist says, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” St. Paul says, “Our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”
Jesus, the Light of the World, has shined his light on our sin and removed it. He has given us his righteousness and he calls us to also love as he has loved us. He calls us to give as He has given to us, unconditionally. So, St. Paul says to wake up and start giving as Christ has given to us. To start forgiving as Christ has forgiven us.
Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”
So wake up. Arise and shine!
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