Yes, it is Friday… again…
Time sure seems to move along…
But that only means that we are closer to THAT DAY than when we first believed!
And that is what Advent is all about.
If you are reading in the beginning of the Gospels in preparation for Christmas, we need to add the readings for the Last Day Too! The end’s of the Gospels, the predictions of the Last Day—so 2 Thessalonians, and near the end of Matthew [Matt 24] and of course Daniel and Revelation!
What a contrast.
Jesus comes as what appears to be a helpless baby—
To—
Jesus coming in all His Glory as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to Judge the living and the dead!
But fear not. He brings us news of Great Joy, Peace and Good Will toward us…
Because those who are in Him—in Christ Jesus—will not be put to shame…
The Judgment will not be directed towards us other than, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” [Matt 25:21]!
Us? But I thought only God can be called Good? Yes. True.
But guess what? We are in Christ, all of us who have been baptized into His death and resurrection have put on Christ.
When the Father sees us, He sees Jesus.
So yes, we will be called Good. Finally!
But as a gift! A Christmas gift! Thanks be to God, because otherwise we would have messed that up!
But we must remember, even as a baby Jesus was the Son of God and He kept the universe together by the power of His Will. Even then.
Heavenly Physics! We can only hear and accept. That sort of things is a thing of faith, as we cannot go there… we cannot fathom much, if not any of it.
But this Sunday, that is almost here, is the Last Sunday of the Church year.
Advent. With it’s Blues and Purples…winter coming in…
With more darkness than light…
For us, it is to be a “little Lenten” time of repentance and preparation for the coming of Jesus…
Both for the first time and for the second.
We should always be ready! But who are we talking about here? Me. You.
Yes, so that is why we practice, year after year, season upon season.
Keep the church calendar! It is good spiritual exercise. Read its readings. Pray its prayers. It is good training and preparation. It keeps our lamps full so that we are not kept out while we try and find oil for our lamps.
There is plenty of oil—while time lasts.
So come and get yours. While it is still day. There is a time coming where the doors will be closed, and everything on the outside will be cast into utter darkness.
Soon and very soon, we will be seeing Him coming in the clouds. Prepare Him room, as the Christmas/Advent Hymns speaks of.
Hearing and reading and singing, being washed and eating and drinking what He provides is that very means by which we are prepared for that Great and Terrible of the Lord.
Maranatha. Come quickly Lord Jesus. Amen.
Yes, THAT LORD’S DAY is almost here… as today is Friday!
This coming Sunday – Last Sunday of the Church Year – November 23rd 2025
Readings:
Old Testament – Jeremiah 23:2-6
Epistle – Colossians 1:13-20
Gospel – Luke 23:27-43
Psalm – 46
DO YOU NOT FEAR GOD? – Based on the Gospel reading
Prayers:
For a lasting peace that would be established and would remain between the people of Israel and Gaza as well as for the People of Russia and the Ukraine. For our congregation that it would please our Lord that we would increase in numbers and there remain in this place a congregation that calls upon Him rightly, practicing the faith according to the Scriptures. For those who are being persecuted and murdered because they call upon the name of Jesus—especially in Africa. For the end of violence in our cites and that our schools and congregations would be protected from those who wish them harm. For our families that parents would courageously discipline their children and raise them in the fear of the Lord, teaching them about salvation in Jesus alone.
Reflection from Luther on The Last Day:
Martin Luther viewed the last days as a time for faithful anticipation of Christ’s return, seeing signs in the world’s blasphemy and the desire for escape from its misery. His quotes suggest living in constant readiness, stating, “Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose this morning, and is coming back tomorrow”. He also offered comfort by comparing death to sleep and anticipated a joyful reunion in the resurrection.
