Good News: Is Worth the Wait

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, and we celebrate God’s grace with the Service of the Word and Sacrament, thanking God and receiving his Supper for our strengthening as we await Christ’s second coming. Advent, as a whole, is a season of anticipation, contemplation, and preparation. We must first contemplate our trespasses and failings and then prepare to meet Christ our Savior. Jesus implores us to eagerly watch for his return. Paul reminds us that while we wait, we are kept firm in the faith because our God is faithful. As we await our King’s return, we bathe in the light of the first of our Advent candles —the Hope candle. In the Old Testament, God’s people watched and waited for the Messiah’s first coming. So we, too, wait for our Savior’s birth— Christmas’ joy & peace—and our Savior’s triumphant return.