Jesus is coming! That’s what Advent is all about. That’s what Advent means! That’s what a new Church Year is about. That’s what every Church Year is about. Jesus is coming! He came as a Baby in Bethlehem to die on The Cross. He is coming to us today in His Word and Sacrament to forgive our sins. He is coming in power and great glory on the last day to judge all flesh. . . .

Christmas lights are shining. They’ve been on some homes for a while. Have you decorated your home? Christmas parties have already been held, and plenty more are scheduled. These are times for celebrating, times for enjoying friends and family, times for fun and games and whatever it takes to forget it’s cold and dark out. . . .

Leaves have fallen off the trees. Warm weather has turned cold. The grass is still green, but at some point will be covered in snow. There’s so little sunlight now compared to a few months ago. This may make us feel down or under the weather, and it won’t be too long until “cabin fever” hits. 2017 is winding down to its end. . . .

We like trees. Our English District’s emblem is a sycamore tree. My father-in-law grew up in Sycamore, IL; here we are in Oakmont – Plum is next door, Cranberry up the turnpike, Dark Hollow Woods just down the street. We plant trees. We grow them to be Christmas trees or telephone poles, to make fires, to build homes and furniture. We love them for the shade they give in summer and the decorating possibilities they give us now. . . .

They should have rejoiced. It had been 400 years since there had been a prophet, since Malachi concluded his prophecy with the words you heard last week. He foretold the coming of another angel of the Lord, not an angel like Gabriel, yet a messenger of God. “Angel” means “messenger.” John, like Malachi, was sent with a message: “Prepare the way of the Lord!” He is coming! . . .

We love mountains. They’re great for skiing, if you like that sort of thing. They give us great views of valleys beneath, filled with picturesque scenes of homes, churches, and farms during the day, and lights at night. They grab our attention as we drive towards them, and we can’t miss them as we drive around, through, or over them. For some people, the mountain is their life. . . .

Christmas is almost here. It comes tonight. You’re ready, and if you aren’t, you’ve got only a few hours left. The presents are wrapped. The tree is up. You’ve got what you need for dinner. The gas tank might even be filled up. You know where you’re going, when you’re going, and even how long you’ll be there and what you’ll do. You can’t wait to open gifts, play games, and eat to your heart’s delight. . . .

It’s dark out. The darkest day of the year was a couple days ago. Wasn’t there so much more light not that long ago? But darkness has overcome. The only thing making it less awful is all the beautiful Christmas lights we see here, there, and everywhere. I get the feeling so many of those lights are simply for that reason: to make darkness less unbearable. The advent of Halloween and Thanksgiving lights gives me that impression. . . .

It was horrible timing. Advent was only 3 weeks this year. Sure, the stores have been ready for Christmas since probably August. Sure, there was a week between Thanksgiving and Advent. But it was horrible timing. Christmas came far too quick for the pastor. Did it come too quick for you? . . .