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Romans 13:8-14

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

By: The Rev. Christopher Leighton

Advent is a season of expectancy. The word itself means “coming”. In the way parents wait for a baby to be born, so we anticipate the coming of Christmas. We are expectant.

The Collect for the First Sunday in Advent is worthy of prayer every day this season. It is based on Romans 13:8-14. If we pray and act according to it, a culture of life will be built in the church of Jesus Christ that will overcome the culture of death in which we find ourselves.

The readings from the Bible for this Sunday all point to the final coming of Jesus Christ. It may feel strange to the new person in church that Christians prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth by focusing on his final coming. It makes sense, however, if we explain God’s faithfulness to His promises. The people of God believe His promises are true. The Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Yet they will be fully demonstrated upon His return, as He carries out what we declare in the Nicene Creed: “to judge the living and the dead”. Jesus is coming. The cry of the followers of Jesus Christ has been, “Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).