First Sunday in Advent (2022)
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Romans 13:11-14
Romans 13:11-14
A Blessed Advent to you my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we celebrate today the beginning of this wonderful season as we look forward to the coming of Christ, celebrating not only His birth in Bethlehem, but also that Day of the Lord when he comes again in all glory, power and might and brings an end to a world plagued by the powers of darkness and creates the heavens and earth anew and those who belong to Christ dwell with God forever.
This season is meant to be one of encouragement and a reminder to not grow weary or lax as we wait for that day, but to remain vigilant against the coming especially as the storms come. Look here how Paul encourages the people in Rome to flee from the world and instead be clothed in Christ.
Dwelling in Darkness
Advent was tied with the growing darkness to focus us on Jesus.
Our goal in all things is to teach about our faith and make it shareable not only with those who have been in the faith for years, but to helps us teach the faith to the new converts, and to the young. So the Season of Advent is placed at the time when the world grows darker. It reminds us that this world is wearing out, and we cannot find hope in any of these earthly things that surround us.
For Jesus is the Light of the world.
He is the light that shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome him. He is the hope of mankind, and as the world grows darker, we look ahead not only to the day when he was born into this world, but also when He comes again.
We use actual darkness to mirror spiritual darkness.
It is no surprise to us that the days are shorter, that was made clear on at the start of November, when it was suddenly dark by 5 pm, and the day just keeps getting shorter. This is to remind us that the world is not getting better, and we should not expect it to as a whole. For all our advancements in technology, we as people are getting worse. Why is this?
This would be the domain of Satan and death.
The darkness is where Satan dwells and wishes to hold us captivate along with all of those that he has ensnared. It is surprising to hear hell referred to in the scriptures not only as a lake of fire, but a place of darkness and weeping. It contradicts itself, but it teaches us what we are to be prepared for.
Our Light Has Come
Jesus’ birth is celebrated after the longest night, and when the day begins to lengthen.
The winter solstice lasts for a few days but on December 25th, the day begins to grow a bit brighter. This reminds to rejoice for our Light has come, and the darkness no matter how deep, and whoever belongs to Christ shall be dwell in the light, not in the darkness.
He has banished the spiritual night, and we now belong to the day.
He has come into the world to rescue us from the powers of sin and death, and that is why we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For we are no longer trapped in the darkness of sin.
Since it is day, we should no longer be asleep.
Indeed, we should not be surprised that while we it was night that we were unaware of our sins, and unaware of the problems that plagued mankind. But now that we have been woken and we know that Jesus has walked the earth for our sake how could we remain in that darkness?
We no longer rest in our sins, but go about the business of Christ.
Rather let us do the work that belongs to the day, let us wake our brothers and sisters, let care for those that we see hurting and in need of help, may we be a blessing to the world wherever we go.
Christ Has Clothed Us In Light
We have put on armor of light, and are clothed with Christ’s righteousness.
Instead of being clothed in the works of Darkness, we are clothed with the holy righteousness that Christ himself has in paradise. It is referred as Armor here, for it keeps you safe against all the accusations of the evil one, as he tries to drag you back into the darkness.
For we have been washed in the blood of the lamb.
We see this in Revelation when John sees the saints coming out of tribulation, their robes have been washed in the blood of the lamb, and they are able to stand before the throne of God for all eternity. For we do not belong to the world that is passing away, but we belong in the presence of God.
In God’s sight, we are pure and holy.
For if we belong to the day of the Lord then we have nothing to fear for we are meant to be there for all time, we are wearing the wedding garment and have been invited to the feast of the Lord.
This is what Jesus did for us in baptism by connecting us to the Cross.
The Word Christ means anointed one, and we as Christians are those who are anointed, we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit and and been clothed in the robes of Christ’s righteousness, which means His innocence, so even though the forces of Darkness hurl accusation after accusation at us, it cannot touch us, for Jesus protects us.
Walk Properly as Children of Light
We are to cast away the filthy rags of darkness.
If we have been clothed in the robe of Christ’s darkness, why would we remain in such filth? No let us cast aside these works of darkness and instead belong to the day, we do not want to engage in those things that belong to the darkness.
What are those things?
Look at what Paul includes in that list there, orgies, drunkeness, sexual immorality, sensuality, quarreling, and jealousy. Those who are perishing chase after those things that lead to the death, they are easy to get away with under the cover of night, but since the night has ended and Christ has come, let us no longer do them. For even if we find some dark corner, or room where we might hide ourselves away, all things will be revealed when Christ returns. Don’t just set them asdie, cast them away. Flee from them, be done with them and dwell with CHrist.
We need this encouragement, for the old rags are comfortable.
It is like a pair of old jeans that becomes comfortable about the time they need to be thrown out, you might be able to get away with wearing them around the house, if you live alone, but you don’t wear them in public, it is time to toss them out and throw them in the trash. We get attached to them, have memories and they become dear to this, we love these jeans.
These changes can be difficult.
If it is hard to throw away a pair of clothing that has lived past its decency, how hard will it be to toss away those sins that have brought us fleeting comforts and joys when we were down in the dumps. We have grown accustomed to find comfort in the darkness, and that is what makes it so hard. But Jesus has really given you something that is better, but the change will be uncomfortable at times.
Salvation Draws Near
Let us be wise, and ready for that day.
Like the virgins last week who were waiting for the bride groom, we don’t want to be caught sleeping, but let us remain awake and vigilant walking in the day.
May our hearts overflow with the love that God has showed us.
For he did not have to wake us, he did not have to clothe us with Christ’s righteousness, but He did this for you, because of the Sacrifice that Jesus made for you, and has given you the Holy Spirit that you might be the children of God, crying out Abba, Father.
For then we will do no wrong to our neighbor.
Rather we will seek to show them the same love and compassion and mercy that has been shown to us. For we know the world is clothed in darkness, and people need the light of Christ. May we bring the light to those in darkness, and that they might see the great love with which God has loved them.
My Brothers and Sisters, this is why Christmas has been a charitable season even in the darkest of times, for the light of the World has come, and we do not have to worry about what this darkness for we belong to the day, and the night cannot conquer the light that is Christ our Lord. So cast aside the works of darkness, for you have been clothed in the robe of Christ’s righteousness and no longer gratify its desires, but share this wonderful hope with all that we meet that we might celebrate together our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In His name. Amen.