“The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light.” (Rom 13:11&12)
Advent is the beginning of the Church Year. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in His first coming, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King the second time. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. It is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation and of longing.
Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power- this time not as the Saviour of the World, but as the Judge. This acknowledgment provides a basis for Kingdom ethics, for holy living arising from a profound sense that we live “between the times” and are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God’s people.
The text at the head of this piece is a call for us to intensify our seeking of God and His Kingdom. It is a call for us to love more than we ever have before. As we approach the day of His return, everything becomes more intense.
Every move we make, every word we say takes on more significance. It’s as if time is compressing. Paul uses the analogy of darkness and light. The night is almost over, it is time to get up and get the day started. This is true because the return of Christ and the establishing of His earthly kingdom is nearer now than ever before. Beloved, God’s Kingdom is real. His promises are true. This battle is crucial, and we’are a part of it . In 1 Timothy 6:12 Paul reiterated, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” We are to stand up & hold strong to our calling. The enemy will try to beat us down, shut us up & tempt us with comfortable routine. But we will not be defeated as we trust the one who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Are we in any way fast asleep or sleepy? Are we indifferent to matters of the Spirit and carefree about things eternal? Are we lethargic in our service to the Lord and apathetic about our spiritual well-being? This is the time to wake up. The time to change and grow will soon be gone. The only available time to make adjustments is NOW!
Have a fulfilling week and season as you awake from your sleep and steady yourself for His return!
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
Igein Isemede