Wait. Are you ready? For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:11-12 Are you ready! Is everything set? I'm not talking about those last-minute gifts that are on your list, or whether you have your tree up or the lights hung on the eaves of the house. Are you ready? Never mind the shopping mall Santa's and lawn decorations or even the Christmas music that has been playing since the day after Halloween. Are you ready for Advent? As followers of Jesus, Advent is a time of preparation and growing expectation. It is also a time when we ask for God's grace as we are intentional in casting off the works of darkness and begging God to put upon us His magnificent armor of light. Advent is a season for reflecting on this mortal life, past and present, as well as hoping expectantly for the future. Not just any future, but that day when Jesus will return in glorious majesty...THAT future. That promised day when all of heaven and earth will be reconciled. And because of that long awaited and hoped for coming of our Savior, Advent is also a season of urgency. The night is past, the day is at hand and "salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed." And so we get ready...by intentionally and expectantly waiting. Waiting for that moment that we have always been wait for. Are you ready? Blessings,
Matthew+ Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP p. 211) | 
