PASTOR’S CORNER

I love the Reformation era hymn, “Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying.” Philippe Nicolai uses Bible texts to call us to prepare with joy for Jesus’ 2nd Coming. The image is the marriage feast of the Lamb with His bride, the Church. The night is flying, the night is ending. The Watchmen cry, “Awake, Jerusalem, arise!”

We hear the words, “Oh, where are ye, ye virgins wise? The Bridegroom comes, Awake! Your Lamps with gladness take! Alleluia! With bridal care Yourselves prepare To meet the Bridegroom who is near.”

Then there is a call to the Lord, “Now come, Thou Blessed One, Lord Jesus, God’s own Son, Hail! Hosanna! We enter all The wedding hall To eat the Supper at Thy Call.” And a closing, “When, joining with the choir immortal, We gather round Thy radiant throne…Therefore will we Eternally Sing hymns of praise and joy to Thee!”

This world sometimes seems like night. We struggle with the politics, competence, and character of elected officials. The media focuses on problems: supply chain shortages, ongoing stress between the Peoples Republic of China and the Republic of China, inflation, Covid, whether we’ll find plentiful Turkeys of manageable size and affordability for Thanksgiving, budget deficits, etc. Ever so subtly, and sometimes not very subtly, Christ is ignored, or worse - evil is called good and good evil.

In this world that seems like night, I listen to that old hymn and recall history is not circular or random. History moves forward towards a joyful end for all who are Christ’s. The arc of history moves us not to manmade utopian dreams, but towards the Great Day, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, as we approach this Last Sunday of the Church Year, the Sunday before Advent, let us have hope! Look with thanksgiving to the coming final fulfillment of the salvation won for us in Christ.

(Editor’s Note: This column is written by a different Littlefield pastor for the Leader-News each week. The columns are published on this page on Wednesdays.)