Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” -Mark 13:35-37
Stir up your power, and come! The psalmist’s plea in Psalm 80:2 has become familiar to us in the Advent prayers. Isaiah wants God to rip the heavens open. Both cry out for an apparently distant, angry God to show up, to save, to restore. When we hear Jesus describing the coming of the Son of Man with stars falling from heaven, it can sound dire and horrible, not like anything we would ever hope for. But when we really look at the suffering of people God loves, we can share the hope that God would tear open the heavens and come.
Sunday’s Worship Music
During our Traditional services the Hymn of the Day is My Lord, What a Morning (ELW 438). In today’s hymn of the day we express our joy at Jesus’ coming despite the ill omens in today’s Gospel reading. We rejoice because Jesus promises to end all suffering. Our voices become the trumpet, sinner, and Christian relying on the hand of God to provide comfort in these days. How can we look forward with joy to such endings and beginnings?
Our New Day Praise service features the beloved Advent hymn Come, O Come, Emmanuel. This ancient hymn speaks to us today with the words, “O come O Savior of this world, the long awaited promise You foretold. And right the wrongs that man has done, we pray Your glorious Kingdom come.”
Preaching Question
Are you ready for God’s arrival?
For Your Home Devotions
Do you ever think about the end of the world?
If Jesus arrived on earth tomorrow, would you rejoice or be fearful?
How do you prepare for someone whose arrival is yet to be determined?
