Second Sunday in Advent (Populus Zion)

Is it Christmas Yet?

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus,

A frequent question on the lips of children is, “Is it Christmas yet?” No, rather it’s Advent! It’s a time of waiting.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, whom we’ll hear more from this week, wrote in the book, “God is in the Manger,” regarding the aspect of waiting:
Celebrating Advent means being able to wait. Waiting is an art that our impatient age has forgotten…Whoever does not know the austere
blessedness of waiting-that is, of hopefully doing without-will never experience the full blessing of fulfillment.

Let's face it, it is hard to wait patiently when we desire something. But the words for this Sunday’s Gospel remind us why we must wait and keep watch for Jesus.
But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon
you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. (Luke 21:34-35)

The day Saint Luke is writing about is Christ's second coming, and these words remind us to be on guard from being dulled by the world we consume and throw aside oh so quickly. Instead, we are called to “stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)

So, how do we do this? First, pray. Use this season to reestablish a devotional life. Be intentional. Consider using a simple order of service from the Lutheran Service Book (Pages 295-298). Set up or purchase an Advent wreath to keep time and keep watch with the Church.

And be reminded by Bonhoeffer, “For the greatest, most profound, tenderest things in the world, we must wait.”

This Advent, look to Jesus and wait.

In Christ Jesus,
Pastor Rogness