Dear Advent people, in the name of Jesus,

If you knew the exact time of Jesus’ coming on the Last Day, would that change anything in your life?  I know that is a strange question, and clearly from God’s Word, we know that only God Himself knows the day and the hour.  But think about it: how would our faith in Christ Jesus show itself…let’s say…if we knew that Jesus would return on (pick whatever date and time): June 3rd, 2020 at 2:00 in the afternoon?  If that was the DATE and TIME, how would we live today?  Tomorrow?  Would it change our priorities at all?  Would you seek even more so to get ready?  Spiritually ready, that is, in repentance and faith given through the Word of God?

The challenge of the faith–the challenge of the cross that we confess–is that we are called to live by faith in Christ alone.  Faith is clinging  to the truth revealed in all of Holy Scripture.  The Word of God (Scripture) alone tells us that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ Jesus alone.  Our forgiveness of sins and eternal salvation has been secured by His shed blood and His rising from the dead.  Jesus has done it all for us!  Every bit of our confidence ought to be in Him.  Living under the authority of His Holy Word day by day–in daily repentance and faith, we know that whenever that Last Day comes, we shall be found ready.  And until that day or when our last hour and minute comes, trusting in our Lord Jesus we await His coming with joyful expectation!  The Word of God is preached and Christ’s sacraments are administered for that purpose–that we joyfully and confidently await our salvation and life with God in His heaven–and all for Jesus’ sake in whom is our trust.

This Sunday, December 22nd, is the Fourth Sunday in Advent.  Christmas is one week away.  May God prepare our hearts–making room there for Jesus!