(Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:1-10, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13)

Luke 21:25-36

(watch here: https://youtu.be/i7rlcE1uOCU)

²⁵ ‘There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. ²⁶People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in a cloud” with power and great glory. ²⁸Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’

^{The Lesson of the Fig Tree}

²⁹ Then he told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees; ³⁰as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. ³¹So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. ³²Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. ³³Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

^{Exhortation to Watch}

³⁴ ‘Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, ³⁵like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.’

Over the last couple weeks, I’ve been humming along to Porter Wagoner’s classic country western tune, “What Would You Do?” Perhaps you’ve heard it before but, for those of you who haven’t, allow me offer the lyrics…and no, they won’t be sung. They go:

What would you do, what would you do, if Jesus came to spend some time with you?

If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two

if he came unexpectedly I wonder what you’d do,

when you saw him comin’ would you meet him at the door,

with arms outstretched and welcome to your heavenly host?

Or would you need to change some things before you let him in,

like burn some magazines and put the Bible where they’d been.

Oh I know that you’d give your nicest room to such an honored guest,

and all the food you would serve to him would be the very best,

and you’d keep assuring him that you were glad to have him there,

that serving him in your home was a joy beyond compare.

But what about your family conversation would it keep up its normal pace,

And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace?

Would you be glad to have him stay forever on and on,

Or would you sigh of great relief when finally he had gone?

You know it might be interesting to know the things you’d do,

if Jesus came in person to spend some time with you.

What would you do, what would you do, if Jesus came to spend some time with you?

What a fine song to be singing during this time of year! Today we set out on our 4-week Advent journey as we await the birth of Jesus. It is a journey that is filled with eager anticipation. This is because we, as faithful Christians, know Jesus to be the Son of God. We know that Jesus comes into our broken world bringing justice and love. Jesus come into our world to save us, not to condemn us, as we hear in the 3^rd chapter of John. Jesus is our Lord and Savior and his coming to us is truly good news. There is cause for great celebration during this time of the year! And yet…and yet there is also a great level of anxiety during this time as well. Sure, most of the anxiety stems from other aspects of the season besides the birth of Jesus. Money, family, gifts, cooking, traveling, shopping, and memories can create a fairly anxious atmosphere. But ultimately they have nothing to do with the season. This season is about eagerly anticipating the birth of our Lord and Savior and celebrating when he arrives. All other anticipation and the anxiety that comes with it is of our own making. It certainly isn’t what God has in mind for this season! God wants us to simply remember His love and mercy and forgiveness. God wants us to simply be open to Christ being born anew in our lives. The joys and sorrows of this year are coming to an end and God is creating something new. God is coming to us yet again to create new hopes and dreams and possibilities through Christ. What good news indeed!

Though most of our anxiety is created by ourselves and whatever we delude ourselves into believing this season is about, there is also a degree of anxiety that is appropriate for this season. Wagoner’s song in which he asks, “What would you do?” brilliantly captures the anxieties we should be carrying. Jesus comes to us bringing God’s love and forgiveness. And for many of us this means nothing but kindness and gladness and happiness and warm feelings. Yes, God’s love should instill these feelings inside of us. But God’s love for us is more complex than that. God’s love involves justice and righteousness. God’s love involves setting wrongs right. It involves putting is into right relationship with God and with each other. Whatever warm feelings that are generated from being in right relationship with God and each other are simple bi-products. No, God wants us to know the fullness of his love. God wants us to know His righteousness in which all things exist in balance and love.

Unfortunately, we live in a broken world and we are sinful people. It is hard to know God’s righteousness. But God comes to us through the Son whether we like it or not. We experience God’s righteousness through His Son. We experience justice through His Son. Justice and the unfolding of justice can and should cause great fear and anxiety. Justice, God’s justice, is awesome and inspiring! When we see it unfurled, we will stand in awe of it. We will be amazed at its sheer perfection. Underlying Wagoner’s song is the unfurling of justice. When Jesus comes, we will put away our sinful natures and put on our righteous natures. Justice and righteousness will naturally unfold.

Now, depending on how wrapped up in our sinful natures will determine how anxious we ought to feel. Will God’s unfurling righteousness be short and easy or long and difficult? In other words, will there be a lot to clean up or only a little? Our readings assigned for this week help us to prepare for Christ’s coming. Jeremiah tells us God will be fulfilling his promise to us by sending the Son, one who “shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.” David reminds us of who God is by singing, “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.” Paul asks God to strengthen the hearts of the Thessalonians and ultimately us for when the Lord comes to us: “And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before God our Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” Luke forewarns of what that day will be like when Jesus comes back to us: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves…Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory.’”

God wants us to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Through Jesus, we come to know God’s love and forgiveness and righteousness. We should be glad and hopeful with birth of Jesus but we should also carry a degree of anxiety. God’s righteousness is being unfurled in all its awesome glory. Wagoner raised an important question with “What would you do?” but an equally important question is…”Are you ready?”

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.