Prepare to Welcome Our Lord with Joy

“Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect”  (Matthew 24: 44).
May I welcome you to the beginning of the Christian year called  Advent.  It is the new year of the Christian Calendar.  In ordinary language, Advent means the arrival of an important person or event.  But within  the Christian circle Advent is the period including four Sundays before Christmas.  It is the period we focus on the Second Coming of Christ.    We expect and hope that Christ will soon appear; therefore, the emphasis is on our preparation to receive Him.
Jesus likened His coming to that of a thief in the night.  The thief does not warn the house owner when he would come.  So no one knows the time set by God for Christ to return.  Not even Jesus nor the Angels know  (cf Matt. 24: 36ff).  Jesus used the example of Noah to warn His disciples about the dangers of complacency concerning His coming.  Just as the people were busy with the affairs of this world ignoring Noah’s warning and suddenly the flood came, so shall it be with His coming.
What then are we to do?  We are to heed the admonition of Jesus.  Be ready, for the hour will come to us when we do not expect it.  Being prepared means being mindful of our standing before Him.  It is being sure that we are really His children by surrendering our lives to Him completely and walking daily in His precepts and within His will.
Brethren, are you eagerly expecting His return?  Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?  Are you sure that your garments are spotless?  If not, why not turn to Him now, ask Him to forgive you and come into your life, transform and empower you to live a worthy life.  He will never refuse you.  Know for sure that Jesus is coming soon.  For the Bible says:  “For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.”  (Heb. 10: 37).  But also note that when He returns, it will not be to plead our cause but to judge us!
Have a joyful and fruitful new church year as you prepare adequately to welcome your soon-coming Lord!

  Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
Igein Isemede