I Hope He Comes

A Reflection on the Gospel for December 2nd, 2018:
​First Sunday of Advent

Luke 21.25-28, 34-36

​Jesus spoke to his disciples: “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.
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“Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

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Throughout the centuries there have been portents and prophecies that the Lord’s return is imminent. Billy Graham thought it would be in his lifetime. Understandable, given what’s been happening in the world over the last 100 years. Tsunamis, earthquakes, tornadoes in parts of Canada that have never experienced one before, strange weather patterns that cannot all be attributed to global warming, wars and killer diseases with no antidotes, escalation of teenage suicide, divorce, human trafficking, abortion. Many people live in fear that the end is near; but we do not know the time. And because we do not know the time, we need to be ready ALL the time. Readiness for the coming of the Lord; a new heaven and a new earth.

“Thy kingdom come” is our hope as Christians, not our fear. All the more reason to proclaim the Good News in word and deed; to show the world that there is One who has conquered death and sin and promises a resurrection life. The words, “Do not be afraid”, are spoken by every angel. ​

We are moving into the season of Advent and some of the readings for this season are in the apocalyptic book of Revelation. Advent is not just the season in which we prepare for the birth of the Christ child, Jesus, it is also about preparing for His second coming. This is our hope. “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end” (from The Nicene Creed). If we really believe this, then we have hope beyond measure.

"Advent is not just the season in which we prepare for the birth of the Christ child, Jesus, it is also about preparing for His second coming. This is our hope."

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Isaiah the Prophet says, “By waiting and by calm you shall be saved” (Isaiah 30:15), and so in this season of Advent — we wait. 

For Christmas. 
For the light to penetrate the darkness. 
For meaning when so much seems meaningless. 
For hope in a world that has lost hope. 
For a peace that is incomprehensible, because it comes in the midst of chaos. 

And most of all, we wait for perfect Love — a love that comes with the words “do not be afraid”.

A Love worth waiting for. ​​

​Judy Savoy

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