LO, HE COMES!
“Advent” means “to come.” It is the season of expectation. We rejoice in the coming of Jesus in the flesh, his coming in Word and Sacrament today, and his final coming in power and glory.
He came . . .
See the tiny baby, lying in a manger. Behold, your God!
A virgin shall conceive and give birth to a son. You shall call his name “Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.” Matthew 1:23
He comes . . .
The loving kindness and forgiveness of God comes to us in his Word. It is a Word spoken and read, a sacramental Word combined with water - Baptism, bread and wine - Holy Communion, and declared - Absolution (Word of Forgiveness).
As the Word of the Good News is declared, the Holy Spirit connects us to the coming One, Jesus.
He will come again . . .
Our curiosity questions, “When.” Our faith anticipates and cries out, “Come, Lord Jesus.” Every time we pray, “Come, Lord Jesus, be our Guest . . .” we are not only praying for his presence at our meal, but also that he would come into our hearts? He gives the promise, “Be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
Revelation 3:19-20 And Sunday by Sunday he comes in the Holy Communion, as we receive his Body and Blood, we receive Jesus himself.
Finally, the table prayer has yet one more powerful meaning. Meal after meal we await the final return of our Savior. Jesus declares, “I am coming soon.” And we reply, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20
Fling wide the portals of your heart;
Make it a temple set apart,
From earthly use for Heaven’s employ,
Adorned with prayer and love and joy.
So shall your Sovereign enter in
And new and nobler life begin
To Thee, O God, be praise For word and deed and grace!
Redeemer, Come! I open wide
My heart to Thee; here, Lord, abide.
Let me Thy inner presence feel,
Thy grace and love in me reveal.
Thy Holy Spirit guide us on
Until our glorious goal is won.
Eternal praise and fame We offer to Thy name. The Lutheran Hymnal 73
Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Lord Jesus!
INDIA MISSION TRIP
Pray for preparations for the upcoming India mission trip. The team will be in India, February 12-25. Pr. Ferd is again planning to remain for a time of teaching through March 8. Deadline to sign up for the trip is middle of December.
VICAR GERMAN
He will be leaving for Venezuela on December 13. All the paper work for his work visa has been completed. He will receive the visa and then return to the US, hopefully by the first or second week of January. Pray for traveling mercies and completion of all the necessary arrangements. Pr. Ferd and he will be attending Special Ministry Pastor (SMP) orientation at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis on February 8-10. His online class work begins in March. Exciting times for all of us at Grace.
Pastor Ferd