November 28 – Advent 1 –

Advent is about the “coming days.” God’s people have always lived in great expectation, but that expectation finds specific, repeated enunciation in the texts appointed for these four weeks. The ancients anticipated a “righteous Branch to spring up for David.” The Thessalonians awaited “the coming of our Lord Jesus with all the saints.” Jesus’ contemporaries hoped for the time “to stand before the Son of Man.” With them we eagerly await the coming days: another Christmas celebration, a second coming, and the advent of Christ in word and supper.

Today we come together to prepare for the birthday of a King.  Today we make ready our welcome for God’s only son, Jesus of Nazareth.  We begin this special and holy season of Advent, the season of going toward the birth of Christ.  As we renew the special meaning of the Advent season, the season of going toward new hope and eternal life,  Let us clear our minds and open our hearts to the coming of the Lord.  Let us also honor his birth by adorning our church for the coming of our King.  Let our songs and symbols represent our personal rededication to the glory of God and the manifestation of his love through his Son, Jesus Christ.  For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Our Father in heaven, in the weeks to come, our attention to this blessed and holy event, the birth of your Son, will be continually distracted. Help us to distinguish between the secular and the sacred, and to remember the true meaning of our joy and excitement. Help us to refocus our minds and hearts on your loving and most precious gift to us, your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.      Amen.