Be alert, Jesus tells us. Good advice, as there are now only 25 shopping days until Christmas. Being alert will give you the edge to make this the best Christmas ever. Being alert will allow you to hunt out and sneak into the only vacant parking space in the entire parking lot. Being alert will keep you from missing that last minute sale, and help you grab the last “Super Sally Sniffer doll” off the shelf before the other frantic shoppers even realize that it’s still there. Yes, be alert, Jesus says. Be alert, that you will not be caught off guard in the busyness and distraction of the holiday season. Be alert, you can get all your shopping done, with time left to breathe before Christmas.
But wait! Into your shopping interrupts the Word of the Lord: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:25-27) This does not sound like a “midnight madness special.”
As we begin a new church year, we hear the promises of our Lord’s coming. The expectation that we feel in these days before Christmas shouldn’t be caused because we’re excited that Santa is coming, but that Jesus is coming. In the midst of uncertain events going on in the heavens and on the earth, we hear the promise that the Son of Man is on his way. Jesus calls to us from the future and assures us, “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.” (Luke 21:29-31) We can have hope in these uncertain times, because they are signs that cause us to hope, not to despair.
Jesus tells us that we can have hope in the midst of difficult times. The signs are all around us: wars, uncertain financial times, and natural disasters, people distraught by the events that are happening around them. With all this going on, people often feel that they have no control in their lives, no way to steer their ship out of the rocky shoal and into the safety of the harbor. Jesus tells us that we can stand firm and hold up our heads. Yes, there are signs around us, but they don’t need to make us fearful, as they make other people fearful. The signs lead, not to the end, but to the beginning. The signs lead, not to destruction, but to wholeness. God’s salvation is at hand! Stand firm in the Lord!
It’s like going into surgery. It’s difficult to prepare for, difficult for the body to go through, and can be difficult to recover from. Certainly not a pleasant thing, not something that you’d choose to do just for fun, or because you’ve got an extra storehouse of cash burning a hole in your pocket. The goal of surgery is not to make a person feel worse, but to make them better, to fix what’s wrong.
The signs that are happening around us are not supposed to make us lose heart, but to be strengthened in our walk of faith. In the midst of the heavens and earth being shaken, we can rejoice in the Lord. We endure these times, as unpleasant and downright atrocious as they may be, because we have a God who will see us through. We have a God who will not abandon us in the midst of the roaring of the sea, but will be “coming with power and great glory.” We endure these times, because we do not endure them alone. We can stand firm in the midst of the signs, because our salvation is at hand! Jesus encourages us, “Be alert, praying that you may have the strength [with God at your side] to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)
“Be alert” is more than just looking out for last minute sales, more than just grabbing the last “Super Sally Sniffer doll” off the shelf, more that getting that coveted parking spot. “Be Alert” means looking, looking for God’s peace in the quiet moments of a frantically busy holiday season, looking for God’s love in the eyes of a stranger, looking for opportunities to show others that all is not lost in this sorry world.
Advent is a time of celebration. A time of anticipation. We await our Lord’s coming with the excitement of a child on Christmas Eve night. But the joy that we experience, the anticipation that we feel, comes not just from the time spent with family or the opening of the presents. It doesn’t even come from the glow of the candles as we sing “Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright…” The joy of Advent comes, not just in the birth of a baby, but in that baby’s return. The coming of the babe of Bethlehem, for all its miraculous grace, is but a hint, a suggestion of the Second Advent when this same Jesus, now Risen Lord and Savior, will return, claiming the world that is his. In this season, we look forward to the end of time, when Christ Jesus will come again, and we’ll spend eternity with our Lord Jesus. The joy of Christmas morning can’t begin to compare to the joy of an eternity with our Lord and Savior.
Advent is a chance for us to look forward, to see the world, not for what it is, but for what it can be. Advent is a call for us to see the “signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars…the distress among nations,” and instead of being afraid, to “stand up and raise your heads.” We, the people of God, can see God at work in unlikely places, “because your redemption is drawing near.”
As the people of God, we look forward through worship. Our liturgy is filled with images that speak of the promises foreshadowed in this morning’s readings: “This is the feast of victory for our God.” “For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.” “Alleluia, Lord to Whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” “Let the vineyards be fruitful Lord, and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.” “Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.” “Lamb of God, you take away, the sing of the world. Grant us peace.” In the words and actions of our worship, we proclaim that God’s victory reigns in our life. The challenges and obstacles that threaten to shipwreck our lives have no power over us.
As we gather around the Lord’s table for Holy Communion, we are looking forward. As we eat the bread and the wine, we proclaim a day when we will eat at the feast of victory with Christ himself. We receive the strength of our Lord, and are assured that our Lord Jesus is guiding us through all our days, walking with us through the good times and supporting us in the difficult times. We come together to receive the body and blood of Christ our Lord, and are sent out to bring the Good News of Jesus to the world.
As we go forth in service, we are looking forward. When we serve those in need, we can see Christ in others. We look forward when we seek to do good for others in this holiday season, not simply finishing the Christmas shopping list. We look forward when we expand the generosity of the holiday season. So much of the joy we feel in this season comes from giving: sharing presents with family and friends. When we expand the giving, we look forward into God’s future. Does your Christmas shopping list include the church? those less fortunate? a worthwhile charity? Good! Then you’re looking forward, witnessing to God’s future. When we give of ourselves so that other people may know the joys of Christmas, we’re looking forward, offering others a glimpse of God’s glorious salvation. Christ promises that in the midst of uncertain times, we can stand confident in the promises of Jesus our Savior, promises declaring, “God’s salvation is at hand!”
So as we look forward to our Lord’s coming at Christmas, let us also be looking forward to our Lord’s final coming, when all pain, death and suffering will be abolished. Let us act to share that salvation with those around us this holiday season. Seek out new holiday traditions that offer a ray of hope to those who may find it difficult to celebrate this season. As Paul writes, “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12) God’s richest blessings to you in this Advent season. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
