Christ Coming in the Present
Yet a third Advent sub-theme is Christ’s coming in the present. With such a focus, we can readily think of Jesus coming to us through God’s gifts of His Word, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Not only that, He dwells with us and lives in us.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
~ The Apostle Paul
Ephesians 3:14-19
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
~ The Apostle Paul
Pondering Point
Jesus comes and makes His home with us, promises to live in us and to sends His Holy Spirit to lead us. He is often described as making that home in our hearts. This is captured in the advent hymn we close with today:
Advent Hymn for the Day
Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates;
behold, the King of glory waits;
the King of kings is drawing near;
the Savior of the world is here!
Fling wide the portals of your heart;
make it a temple, set apart
from earthly use for heaven's employ,
adorned with prayer and love and joy.
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