"Advent I: A Time To Watch And Prepare”

In Jesus Holy Name November 28, 2021

Text: Luke 21:25-27 Advent I Redeemer

“Advent: A Time to Watch and Prepare”

Today, is the first Sunday in Advent. Here’s the question: "Are you ready for Christmas? I know it is probably a crazy question when you haven’t even finished the last of the Turkey and pumpkin pie. But I know that left over turkey and dressing does not stop people from putting up their Christmas tree, even on the day after Thanksgiving.

Here we are, the 1st Sunday in Advent and our own church does not even have our Christmas tree up yet! How did the day catch us unaware and un prepared? Were we to concerned about other things? This is what Jesus was warning us about. ”Don’t let me catch you unprepared for my return to earth.” Watch be Prepared.

Watch and be ready. It sounds like an easy thing to do. It's not. It's not, because it is not our human nature to watch and wait for anything. That is why people already have their trees up and shopping in process.

This year…people have been warned: There is a ”Supply Chain” problem. Ships are backed up in ports unable to unload their cargo. There may empty shelves, you better shop early. The race to prepare for Christmas has been going on for weeks. We have been warned. Order NOW! Don’t wait!

If the dire warnings about a “supply chain” problem has caused worry, and fear, then why have the words of Jesus “Watch! Be Ready!” not caused the same concern? I suppose it’s just our human nature to put things off, unless warned.

There is an old story which speaks about the day when the devil called a council of his chief servants. The purpose of the conference was to improve their methods and increase their effectiveness in stealing souls from the Savior. During the discussion, one demon said, "I propose that our representatives go to the earth and tell everyone that the Bible is a myth." (from a sermon by Rev. Ken Klaus)

Satan smiled and nodded approvingly. He commented, "Not bad. The idea has some merit, but I think we may be able to do better." One of the devil's closest advisers suggested, "Why not be direct. Let's have our associates tell everyone, "Relax, after all, there is no God, no Savior, no hell, and no heaven."

His suggestion received a standing ovation when he got up and said, "My friends, my fellow members of the hellish host, we must be more clever. Yes, there are some humans who are too busy to think about Judgment Day. They don’t even think their name will appear in an obituary in their local paper. Too Busy.

He continued, "No, I suggest this: let our salesmen canvass their territories and suggest the following to their clients. They should say: 'Yes, the Bible is true, and the Savior is real.' And then... and this part of the plan is absolutely crucial; let our sales force add, 'These things are true, but there really is no need to hurry. Judgment Day hasn't come for thousands of years. The return of Jesus is not about to happen in the next few minutes.' Then whisper in their ear: 'There's no need to rush into repentance and redemption. Take your time; take your time.'"

At that moment the conversation and convention ended. The devils and demons, knew they had heard a plan which would work, That's why today, every time Jesus says, "Repent, be baptized, be saved." Every time the Savior says "Watch and wait..."; Satan's sales force adds, "By all means. Absolutely you should watch and wait for Jesus' return. You should repent of your many misdeeds and feel sorrow for your sins. You should do all these things and you will do them... tomorrow. As for today, it's highly unlikely that Jesus is coming back today." So, leave your bible on its shelf. Don’t concern yourself with worship.

The plan has proven incredibly successful, we hate to watch and we hate to wait. We know because our children, and grandchildren when observing the Christmas tree ask: “how much longer”… do we have to wait? Yes, but if we put up this Advent Calendar there will be little gifts each day…Will that help you wait?

When watching for signs of the Lord’s coming in world events it is easy to take our eyes off the purpose of life. “Living each day knowing that eternal life depends on our focus on the cross and empty grave.

If you doubt me, may I point to the story of passenger vessel, the Costa Concordia which sank in 2012 and snuffed out the lives of 32 people. Did it make a difference that the ship's Captain had turned off the vessel's navigation system... Did it make a difference that the captain didn't have his reading glasses and had to keep asking for help to see the ship's instruments? Did it make a difference that the Concordia sailed far closer to land than any other cruise line? Of course; these things made a difference but mostly the disaster occurred because the people who should have been watching, weren't. No, it's difficult to watch and wait.