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Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
In this first week of Advent, we really have been looking toward the coming of Christ. We do not have any idea when that will be. So longing and watchfulness have been good words to focus on during this week.
In Matthew 25:13 Jesus says, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” So, if we don’t know the day or the hour when Jesus is coming, what are we watching for? I’m not an expert. But perhaps it is less about watching for and interpreting the signs of his coming and more about watching ourselves. Do we carry the signs that our lives conform to the love of Christ? Later on in Matthew, in the parable of the Sheep and the Goats, Jesus says this:
” For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. ” Matthew 25:42-45.
Perhaps in addition to longing for Christ, we need to be watchful about how we respond to those around us in need. Tip: Check with your church to see if there is some way that you could help those in need this Advent. For example, at my parish, we are collecting cold weather hats and gloves that will be provided to the homeless. Maybe the clergy would appreciate it if you wrote Christmas cards for them to provide to shut-ins during their visits. Thinks about little acts that can be done with great love!
Prayer for today: Come, thou long-expected Jesus, Joy of every longing heart. Rule in our hearts alone. Help our eyes see you in our brothers and raise us to your glorious throne. Amen.
The Choir of St John’s College Chapel, Cambridge sing “Come, thou long expected Jesus. Enjoy.
+The Anglican Anchoress