Meditation for the Redeemer Christmas Concert

 

December 7^th, 2014

Redeemer Lutheran, HB

When I hear the word “celestial” the first things that come to my mind are Star Trek, Star Wars, or Dr. Who traveling through time and space in a blue police box.

So out of curiosity and nerdy compulsion, I looked up “celestial” in the dictionary. It comes from Middle English celestialis and is equivalent to the Latin caelesti, meaning heavenly, combined with the suffix estis meaning “sky”. So, there you have it, “celestial” has to do with the heavenly.

And during Advent and Christmas we have plenty of heavenly things to celebrate. Jesus’ coming again in glory, the new heavens and earth that he promises his baptized. Jesus’ coming to us here and now in his holy Word and holy sacraments – the Lord’s Supper is called heaven on earth for that reason! Jesus’ first coming in human flesh, where heaven came to dwell on earth.

Even the sacred music of the Advent and Christmas season is heavenly sounding. Music is a handmaiden to the Gospel, says Luther. And that seems fitting for tonight’s theme.

But of course we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the angels. Any meditation on all things celestial during Advent and Christmas must include the angels.

Every Sunday Christians confess the angels in the Creeds of the Church, though you might not recognize it at first. We confess that God is the make of all things visible and invisible. And that includes the angels, created “celestial” beings, servants of the Lord. Sometimes they appear in the OT, like when Isaiah sees them around the throne of God or Israel hears them marching in the tree tops above them and ahead of them into battle. An angel appeared to Zechariah the priest to announce John the Baptizer’s coming, to Mary, Joseph, even John in the book of Revelation, just to name a few.

Now, because they don’t always make an appearance, many have tried depicting angels. But don’t be fooled. Angels are not at all like the cute, cuddly pictures you see on Hallmark cards this time of year. I think they would find that a bit humorous to be honest. You don’t find anyone in the Bible who sees an angel wanting to run up and pinch their cheeks and scruffle their heads. No, angels are not the nostalgic kinds of celestial beings we think. They’re a bit more like Jedi Knights or the elves and good wizards of Middle-Earth, or perhaps the Navy SEALs. They evoke a sense of fear and reverence, awe and holiness at their arrival.

That’s why the first thing out of their mouths is almost always: “Do not be afraid.”

And the next thing is always some kind of message. After all, that’s their job. Angel comes from the Greek word for messenger. Angels waste no time talking about themselves. They have a message to deliver. Angels want no worship or attention focused on them, only that we hear the message.

And so during this celestial season, let us ponder and remember the angels’ message:

How an angel came to Mary, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

 How an angel came to Joseph, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

And how the angel hosts came to the Shepherds and declared:

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

 The angels are heralds of what is truly celestial about Advent and Christmas: heaven comes to earth. God becomes man. The Word becomes flesh and dwells among us.

The final frontier isn’t out there in space…as the Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin allegedly said, “I went to space but I didn’t find God.” No, that’s not the right place to look. The Creator of the stars of night becomes a creature. Jesus is born, not in a galaxy far, far away, but in a stable outside of Jerusalem, a manger that’s bigger on the inside than the outside.

The angels’ points us to Christ. Why stand ye gazing up to the heavens? Look to the manger. Behold where heaven comes to earth in Mary’s womb.  Perfect God and perfect zygote.  True God and yet true human embryo.  Begotten of the Father before all worlds, yet born of a virgin.  The Creator comes swaddled in the stuff of His creation – a diapered deity.    Glory to God in the highest…whose birth ward smells of manure and hay.

 

But do not think that this is beneath God, or that this is the opposite of a heavenly birth. It is. For God is not ashamed of lowliness. He becomes who you are – a woman’s child, born under the Law – so that you can become children of God.

 

That’s what this Advent and Christmas season is all about. Jesus is not the reason for the season. You are. Jesus was born for you. One small step for God, one giant leap for mankind. He was made man.  Contrary to the popular Christmas hymn: little baby Jesus did cry. He became man as you are, for you. And yet God with us, Immanuel: heaven on earth in Jesus. God with us. So, God cried. God dirtied His diapers. God learned His ABC’s. God played in the wood shavings of Joseph’s workshop. God suffered for you. God bled for you. God died for you.

 

That’s the word of Christmas: the Word made flesh for you, a celestial Savior clothed in our humanity, and robed in our humility to bring us to heaven, to live with him there.

 

 

 

Advent Midweek Sermon: "Jesus' Advent in Glory"

+ Advent Midweek 1 – December 3^rd, 2014 +

“Jesus is Coming: The Hymns of Advent”

Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Luke 21:25-33

 

In the Name of + Jesus. Amen.

Oh, you have to try this new restaurant. Did you hear about that new deal at Target? Have you seen the new Star Wars VII trailer with the new light saber?

We’re obsessed with “new”. New car or new book smell. New socks on your toes. New recipes, smells, and flavors of food. When it comes to food, a hobbies, or exercise, “new” can be good. But new can also be dangerous. When the god of “new” sets up his temple in the church McDonalds replaces friendly greeters in churches (no, I’m not making that up), Christian artwork is exchanged for entertainment equipment; and the faith once and for all delivered to the saints is traded for a fad. So when it comes to “new” in church and theology, beware. After all, what happens when the craving for whatever that new thing is passes and moves on? Well so does every hope and treasure we placed in it.

One of the reasons we’re obsessed with new things is because we realize how fleeting and temporary life is. All good things must come to an end we say. Even the world must end, Jesus says.

And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

Wouldn’t it be great if there really was something that was always new? What a fantastic surprise it would be to find a joy that never ends, a gift we never tire of receiving, and a promise that never gets old.

Welcome to the season of Advent. A season of solemnity and royalty, of waiting and hopeful expectation, of repentance and great joy. Advent prepares us for the Last Day. For in Advent, Jesus comes to make all things new.

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Jesus’ advent in glory brings us the one thing at is eternally new. Your redemption is drawing near.

This is why the hymns of Advent are among the best in our hymnal. They teach us to wait with hopeful longing and joy for all of Christ’s advents.

Today’s hymn is no exception: Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending

This hymn beautifully weaves Jesus’ death and second coming together. And yet we sing it during Advent as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ first coming in Bethlehem. Early Christians recognized that Jesus’ eschaton, his second coming, began already in Bethlehem. We remember his birth and immediately we long for his second coming. In Jesus’ birth, the end times are here; the promise to make all things new began in Bethlehem. The day we long for and the Savior we long to see, that’s what this hymn prepares us for with great joy. Your redemption is drawing near…

Lo! He comes with clouds descending,

Once for ev’ry sinner slain;

Thousand, thousand saints attending

Swell the triumph of his train:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Christ the Lord returns to reign.

 

It’s an advent, end-times hymn; and it’s a passion hymn. Jesus’ death and Jesus’ birth go together. You can’t have one without the other. Take the crucified Christ out from Advent and Christmas and all that’s left is an elf on a shelf and a guy in a red suit who smells like beef and cheese.

Jesus’ passion is the purpose of his advent in human flesh. Jesus’ suffering and death brings us his advent among us now in his word, water, body and blood. This is how we welcome Jesus’ second coming, with shouts of Alleluia. Advent is the return of the King who destroys sin and the evil that never sleeps by dying the sleep of death.

 

Once for ev’ry sinner slain. At Christ’s second coming – just as in his first – we rejoice in the universality of Christ’s atonement for our sin. Charles Wesley originally wrote once for favored sinners slain. Thankfully that got changed. That phrase “favored sinners” comes from the false teaching that God chooses to save some and condemns others. Scripture teaches otherwise: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. When I am lifted up I will draw all men to myself. Jesus was not born for some favored sinners, but for all sinners. Christ died for all. Christ died for you.

 

Every eye shall now behold him

Robed in glorious majesty;

Those who set at naught and sold him,

Pierced and nailed him to the tree,

Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing,

Shall their true Messiah see.

 

Another name for Jesus’ advent in glory is the apocalypse. It means to reveal. That means Jesus’ death is the beginning of the apocalypse, or the beginning of the end times. For Jesus’ death is truly revealing. Like Christ’s second coming, it reveals the depth and darkness of our sin. It reveals sin’s consequences. Jesus was put to death for our sin. We pierced Jesus with our sin. We nailed him to the tree. We betray him in thought, word, and deed. Repent at this revelation.

 

Jesus’ cross – like his second coming – reveals those who have faith in him and those who do not. Think of Pilate. The religious authorities who mocked him. The soldiers who ridiculed him as king. On the Last Day those outside of Christ will be found deeply wailing.

 

And yet here’s the irony, the soldier at Jesus’ crucifixion was right. Truly this man is the Son of God. Jesus is revealed as God most of all when he is suffering for you. Jesus is shown to be the Son of God most clearly on the cross. Jesus is pierced for our sins. Jesus, nailed to the tree in our place. Jesus, betrayed for our betrayals to die our death. He is crowned with thorns to crown you with glory. He is robed in wounds and scars to robe you in his majesty.

 Now, when you come to church you come to the Last Day. His absolution delivers the judgment day verdict ahead of time: you are forgiven all your sins. His holy baptism marks you as his ransomed ones, clothed in robes made white in the blood of the Lamb who was slain and yet lives. In His Holy Supper Jesus is with you. He is present to forgive and save. Here you receive the tokens of his passion.

Those dear tokens of his passion

Still his dazzling body bears,

Cause of endless exultation

To his ransomed worshipers.

With what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture

Gaze we on those glorious scars!

 

This is the Savior you long to see on the Last Day. And you will. You will know him by his scars, for in his scars you are known to him.

 

This verse is yet another reminder that the church is completely out of step with the world. To the world, scars aren’t glorious. The cross is shameful, even embarrassing and foolish. And Jesus isn’t palatable unless he’s tamed or made into our bro or a boy scout. What a contrast to Jesus’ life: suffering, then glory. Death, then resurrection. That’s the pattern. His suffering, his death, his scars – that’s how Jesus wants you behold his glory. In Advent – as always – we worship and rejoice in the Lamb who was slain and yet lives; but you don’t get the raised again without the scars.

Glorious scars indeed.

 

This is how you’ll know it’s Jesus and not some huckster. Jesus won’t come like Superman from the planet Krypton or a time machine in a sketchy alley. You’ll see him. You’ll see his scars; he bears them still for you. And you’ll hear his voice – just like the disciples did on Easter. Your redemption is drawing near. The Kingdom of God is near. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

You see his wounds and hear his words and rejoice:

Yea, amen, let all adore Thee,

High on Thine eternal throne;

Savior take the pow’r and glory,

Claim the kingdom as Thine own.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Thou shalt reign and Thou alone!

 

What does this mean? Amen means yes, yes it shall be so. The night will soon be ending, the dawn cannot be far. Yes, it appears that for this old creation, winter is coming. But Summer is near.For you, the baptized, Jesus’ advent in glory is like the old REM song: it’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine.

For you, the baptized, Jesus comes to make all things new, including you. Advent gives us hope in this dying creation: the term is over; the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning. Advent is the beginning Chapter of the Great Story which comes in Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection, in which every chapter is better than the one before.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

In the Name of + Jesus. Amen.

 

Advent According to a Three-Year Old

The Ladies' group at Redeemer Lutheran hosts an annual Advent by Candlelight event. They sing hymns, eat desserts, drink tea, and hear the Gospel, that Jesus comes for us in Advent. It always provides an opportunity to present the Gospel of Luke along with some imaginative writing. This year's piece was inspired by one of my childhood favorites, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." Enjoy.

Advent According to a Three-Year Old

(An Advent Ode to Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day)

I went to sleep without getting any Christmas cookies after dinner and mom and dad said I can’t have any cookies before breakfast either and when I got up this morning one of my 153 stuffed animal friends – Rudolph - had fallen on the floor and I couldn’t find him and I really wanted to cuddle with him while I watched morning cartoons but the Star Wars Rebels cartoon I really wanted to watch wasn’t on and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Advent.

At breakfast my waffle had peanut butter on it instead of strawberry jam and I wanted my waffle cut like a Christmas tree, like the one that is supposed to be in our house but mom and said we have to wait a few more weeks. But the only shape my waffle was cut in was triangles. Triangles are yucky.

I think I’ll move to the North Pole.

In the car on the way to school my baby brother got to chew on a toy and I didn’t have any toys to play with. I asked very politely and with my best smile if I could have a cookie for a snack. I said I was hungry. I said my tummy says feed me. I said, if I don’t get a Christmas cookie I was going to be carsick. My baby brother just stared at me. No one even answered.

I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Advent.

At school Mrs. Pumpernickel liked Jackson’s picture of Santa better than my picture of fresh North Pole snow on white paper.

At chapel time she said I sang too loud. At nap time she said I needed to lay down and rest. Who needs nap time? I’m not tired! I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Advent.

I could tell because Richard said I wasn’t his best friend anymore. He said that Peyton Parks was his best friend and that the classroom turtle was his next best friend and that I was his third best friend.

I hope you sit a pinecone, I said to Richard. I hope that the next time you have a Christmas cookie with frosting and sprinkles on it the sprinkles fall off the cookie and fall on the ground in the North Pole and get licked up by penguins.

At lunch I had to sit at the peanut butter table and there were two packages of M&Ms in Peyton Parks’ lunch pale and Albus got a piece of chocolate in the shape of a Christmas tree and Richard’s mother gave him half of  a donut with sprinkles on top. Guess whose mother forgot to put in a Christmas cookie?

It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Advent.

That’s what it was, because after school my mom took my baby brother to the doctor and Dr. Hu said I was scheduled to have a shot when I come back for my visit next week.

Next week, I said, I’m going to the North Pole.

On the way out of the doctor’s office I wanted to ride the reindeer set up in the lobby and my mom said it was not a toy and I said I wanted a toy snow man like the one in the play area and then while I was waiting for my mom to buckle me in the car seat I saw my baby brother chewing on my Olaf the snowman stuffed animal. I started crying because Olaf is all covered in slobber and because I wanted a cookie. When I finally got buckled in and tears were rolling down my cheeks my mom scolded me for not eating enough of my lunch.

I am having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Advent, I told everybody. No one even answered.

So then we stopped by Target on the way home to buy some new pajamas. Noah got Lego Star Wars pajamas with blue, his favorite color. My mom chose ones with snowflakes and candy canes. I wanted purple princess Rapunzel pajamas, but my mom said they don’t sell those here. So they made me buy the plain old red and green Christmas pajamas, but they can’t make me wear them.

When we picked up my dad from his office he said I couldn’t photocopy silly faces on the coping machine, but I forgot. He also said to watch out for the books on his desk and on his chair, and on his shelves, and I was as careful as could be except for my elbow. He also said don’t play around with the phone, but I think I tried calling the North Pole. My dad said, next time he’d ride his bike home.

It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Advent.

There were green beans for dinner and I hate green beans.

There was football on TV and I hate football.

I wanted to blow out all four candles on the Advent wreath during devotions, but dad said it was only the first week in Advent. Waiting again? I hate waiting. Then my bath was too short, I splashed water in my nose, my brother chewed on my favorite Little Einsteins bath toy, and I had to wear my new red and green Christmas pajamas. I hate my red and green Christmas pajamas; they are yucky.

When I went to bed I still couldn’t find one of my 153 stuffed animal friends – this time it was Chester the dog – and I said I wasn’t tired and that I was still hungry for a Christmas cookie.

I even had to sleep in my own bed.

It has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad Advent.

My mom says it’s only the first day of Advent. Some days are like that. Even in the North Pole.

But not all days. Because on the first Sunday of Advent you hear about Jesus riding into Jerusalem to die for us. Because on the 2nd Sunday of Advent we hear John the Baptizer prepares the way for Jesus our Savior. Because on the 3rd Sunday of Advent we hear how Jesus is the light of the world. Because on the 4th Sunday of Advent we hear how Mary is chosen to be give birth to Jesus who will save us from our sins and all of our terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days.

Because of the days when it came to pass that a decree went up from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

And that means no more terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days.

Only joyful, blessed, no bad, very good days. This Advent and always.

Advent 1 Sermon: "Hosanna, Lord Save Us"

+ Advent 1 – November 30^th, 2014 +

Redeemer Lutheran, HB

Series B: Isaiah 64:1-9; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 11:1-10

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down…

God will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ…

Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 

Isaiah, Paul, the Palm Sunday crowd – they sound the Advent bell. They give us the word of the season: coming. That’s what Advent means: Jesus is coming. The King is coming.

While the world counts the Black Friday profits and prepares for Cyber Monday, the Christian church prepares for the Advent of Jesus.

Advent is an oasis from the shopping mall mayhem. Advent calls us to be sober, keep watch; it is a season of hope, expectation, and longing that flies in the face of our sinful desires for instant gratification.

No wonder Advent is unfamiliar to the world. Most people, if asked, would say it’s a time to get ready for Christmas: buy your Trader Joe’s chocolate advent calendars; countdown the shopping days until Christmas; a time for cooking and baking. And there’s nothing wrong with any of those things. But there’s something more going on.

Advent is really a season of three Advents, three comings of our Lord. We look backward to his coming in humility: a baby born in a feeding trough; a man of sorrows acquainted with grief; a suffering servant who rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey to die for the sins of the world…to die for you.

We also look forward to his second coming. The Day of the Lord. Even now in the darkness, Light has dawned. Get ready. The One who came in humility and who comes by Word and Sacrament will come in glory for you.

And while we look backward to his first coming in human flesh and forward to his coming in glory, Jesus comes in the hidden glory of words, water, bread, and wine here, today. Jesus is truly Immanuel – God with us. God with us in the Word read and the absolution given. God with us in our Baptism. God with us by His body and blood. We join the crowds in praising our King as we prepare to receive his body and blood.

Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 

We need Advent. For we come to this season – each of us – bearing different burdens. We see the world around us coming unglued. Infectious diseases. Civil unrest and rioting. Political tension on all sides. Wars and rumors of wars. An economy quick to collapse and slow to recover.

We see our families nearer to us struggling as well. Cancer and illnesses plague those closest to us. Families struggling to make ends meet. Close friends and dear loved ones die, all of them sooner than we’d like. Grief seems to hit us hardest around the holidays.

These are not abstract people or examples. They are all of us. They are your brothers and sisters in Christ in this congregation. Think about who might need your help, or who is hurting but won’t ask for assistance. Certainly we rejoice together, but during this Advent season do not neglect to suffer with one another; to bear one another’s burdens.

Life in this fallen world causes us to cry out with Isaiah: “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down.” Haven’t we all had an Isaiah 64 moment? Come down, O Lord and save. Come down, O Lord and rescue. Our world needs Advent.

We need Advent.

For we also come bearing the burden of our own sin. We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

Advent is also a season of repentance. That’s how our Lord prepares us for all of his comings among us. But repentance leads us to another word: a cry for mercy, a renewed call of faith’s trust in the mercy and promise of God. Hosanna – which means Lord save us. Lord, have mercy on me a sinner. “Be not so terribly angry, O Lord, and remember not iniquity forever.”

Yes, our righteousness is like filthy rags in dire need of laundering. “Don’t remember it, Lord.” “Forgive our iniquities and remember our sins no more, as you have promised.” We are your people. We are baptized. You have claimed us with your Name. You have marked us as your own possession. Now don’t forget us.” God remembers us, but He chooses to remember not our sins…all because of Jesus, your Advent King.

That’s the promise of Advent – the Lord does not forget you. The Light shines in the darkness; a new day dawns. The King comes in lowliness to be clothed in all of our filthy rags. The King enters Jerusalem to be humbled under the Law to redeem us from the law. The King lays down his life for you. The King is forsaken for you. The King stoops down, all the way down to death and the grave in order to carry you and the whole sinful world upon his shoulders. The King conquers death by dying for you. Through Jesus’ death you are clothed in his righteousness. Through Jesus’ humility you are exalted. Through Jesus’ forsakenness you are reconciled to God. Through Jesus’ cross you are prepared for his Second Advent. And from his cross comes the fruit of life and salvation this Advent. 

Jesus is your Immanuel: God “with us” in Baptism, in the Supper, in the spoken Word of forgiveness in His Name. Jesus is with us as He promised, “I will be with you always until the end of the ages.” Advent is a reminder that Jesus hasn’t really gone anywhere in going to heaven. Rather, He’s returned to His former glory at the right hand of the Father in order that He might be “all in all” and “fill all things in every way.” So, in Advent we are waiting for the One who is already here now. The kingdom we are waiting for is the kingdom that has already come. The glory we are waiting for is the glory that is already here, now in a humble and hidden way, but still very much here.

That’s why we sing Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! When we go to Holy Communion. The same King who came to Jerusalem in humility upon a donkey, now comes in the humble forms of bread and wine, with his body and blood to save you.

Rejoice for, “we are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Dear baptized children of God, you lack nothing. Christ’s gifts overflow here for you. Where the Word is preached, where the Body and Blood of Christ are, where there is Baptism, there you have every spiritual gift needed to prepare the way of the Lord. And Jesus gives you those gifts – His gifts of water, word, body and blood, whether you feel it or not; whether you’re having a Happy Advent or a Merry Christmas or not; even if the world is raging around you; and sin and death are knocking at our door. Jesus comes in Advent for you.

Jesus came for your rescue in Jerusalem. He’ll come again to return you to your heavenly home with him when he comes in glory. And he comes today to forgive you, to sustain in your Advent journey, and to fill your hearts and minds with Advent joy, to sing with all the saints:

Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Indeed. Blessed are you who come in the name of the Lord.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.