Advent Reflections

Let the heavens rain down the Just One,
And the earth bring forth a Savior.

First Sunday of Advent

November 28, 2004

Now is the time for you to awake from sleep, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

Romans 13:11

Great Expectations

Advent is the season of great expectation. Each year at this season we turn our thoughts to the wonder of the Incarnation. So great is God's love for us that he sent his Son into the world to overcome the alienation of our sins and reconcile us to himself. We could not save ourselves from the burden of our own sinfulness, so God sent his Son to be our savior. The Son of God took on human flesh and became one of us so that we could be filled with grace and become one with God.

Some of us have known of this great event of our salvation for a long time. But we are slow to be transformed by the grace that first entered the world in the Incarnation of Jesus. For some of us the time is getting short; the day of our salvation is closer than when we first believed. May we not put off for another season our response to the coming of Christ. May we watch and pray during this Advent season, so that when he comes he will find us waiting in eager expectation, and fill us with the blessings of peace.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God and Prince of Peace, we know that you alone can overcome our sin and restore us to grace. Open our hearts to your Word, and enkindle in us the fire of your love, that we may receive you joyfully when you come.