Don't Be Afraid of Advent

one

Advent is a time in which we should long for the coming of Jesus.

During Advent we hear the Prophet Malachi say, “Look, I am going to send my messenger to prepare a way before me. And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple; the Lord whom you are longing for, yes he is coming…But who will be able to remain standing when he appears? For his coming is like the refiner’s fire. He will take his seat in judgment…He will purify us as gold and silver are purified by fire.”

At the end of the Creed we say every Sunday, when Jesus comes, He will come in glory to Judge the Living and the dead.

I feel a little inconsistency praying and longing for Christ the Judge to come, when I do not feel ready. In what sense can I honestly pray that Jesus cut short the time I need to change my ways and get better. It seems a paradox to pray for the coming of Jesus, yet wish for more time to prepare?

two

Why am I afraid of the coming of Jesus?

Well, imagine sitting down with family, friends and all those who don’t know me as well, who are under the illusion that I am a really good person, and we watch a movie of my entire life, every thought, word and action. Oh, yes, there is much good there. But, can we skip the dark side of me, those thoughts I want no one to know. And can we fast forward through my vices? Yes, I’ve been forgiven, but still, how humbling. Now imagine doing that with God! Do you see why I’m not in a big hurry for Christ to come now?

three

Ok. So, I need more time before Jesus comes.

Well, how much? How much more time do I need before I make the firm resolution to change my ways, become the person God made me to become, the man those in my life need me to be? 100 years? 1000?

four

I say I fear the coming of Jesus. But when we pray, we come into his presence. And why do we do this? Because who in the world can help me? Only Him. Who ultimately has my back? Only Him. Who will have mercy on me and heal me? Only the One who created me and died for me.

We want Jesus to come because we desperately want to be in the presence of Jesus like a sick man before the only Doctor who can heal all that is sick and diseased in us. Even if the remedy will involve some pain.

five

Yes, I feel some inconsistency praying for Jesus to come when I know I am not ready.

But we should not be discouraged even though we are such a spiritual mess.

Jesus is the only one who can heal us - and He is coming.

He is the one Malachi was speaking about when he said: “But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will shine out with healing in its rays.”