STIR up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine Only-Begotten Son, so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds; Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

-- Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

-- Luke 21.25-36 (NKJV)

This week's Gospel reading sets a terrifying scene of signs, distress, tempestuous weather, and widespread fear. It sounds a lot like the events going on in the world around us today, doesn't it? Honestly, it sounds a lot like the world has always been, shaken by turmoil, unrest, and calamity, but it surely seems to fit today--maybe now more than ever.

What are we to do? Are we to despair? Are we to cower in fear? Are we to resign in hopelessness? By no means. "Our redemption is near," Jesus goes on to say. Therefore we pray and plead that "the God of patience and comfort grant [us] to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that [we] may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom 15.5-6, NKJV) In other words, as St. Paul encourages us here, we are to be united in hope and patient endurance as we serve one another and our neighbor.

While the time is short, our charge is to get busy--doing good works that we might show the world the hope we have in Jesus Christ and proclaiming his goodness and grace. Let us pray that in this Advent and Christmas season, when our cultural celebrations have become almost entirely secular and materialistic, that God's mercy will break through hearts hardened by sin in order to make ready the way of the coming King. I have said for the past several weeks that I believe we have enough cultural 'memory' that most people still think there is something special about this time of year...prayerfully enough to be open to hearing the Good News about God's gracious redemptive plan in Christ Jesus.

Photo by Elizabeth Explores on Unsplash