Wednesday of Ad Te Levavi

The season of Advent is a time of preparation. But what are we preparing for? Is it the coming of Jesus as the baby in the manger? Well, yes. We rejoice with the shepherds to hear the angelic announcement. Unlike the innkeeper, we want to prepare room in our hearts for Christ child. But Advent is more than a historical reenactment of the First Coming of our Lord. This has already happened. Jesus has already entered our world as a man. He has already lived, suffered, and died, once and for all. His work is finished. And though these events are the most important happenings in all of human history and should be always in our minds and hearts, the greater purpose of Advent is a very real preparation for the Second Advent, the imminent return of Christ.

The Apostle James, tenderly but firmly commands us, “Dearly beloved, be patient until the Advent of the Lord” (James 5:7). James is not speaking of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem. We are to wait for our Lord’s return in the same way that a farmer patiently awaits the harvest. In the Mediterranean world, a farmer plants at the beginning of winter. Without faith to believe in the coming harvest, it would seem foolish to bury precious seed in the dirt, seed that could feed easily feed the farmer’s family through the winter. But the farmer has faith that the spring harvest will come, and so he prepares accordingly and then waits with patience and expectation. We too, are exhorted to be patient. The harvest of all the earth is coming. No matter how long the winter may see, no matter how bleak the world grows, the return of Christ draws nearer with each day. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

What does it mean to “establish your heart?” This is how we are told to prepare for Christ’s return. But it sounds like something you and I are supposed to do. But isn’t the Christian faith about what God does in us? Yes, it is. While the farmer waits patiently, God is at work making the seed grow. In the same way, the Holy Spirit is at work within your heart, causing the seed of faith to spring up unto eternal life. This is all God’s work, and that’s a good thing, because you and I are like the farmer. We can’t make seeds grow. We can only wait with patience.

And yet, St. James tells us, “Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:8). Well then, what does it mean to “establish your hearts”? Let us allow Scripture to interpret Scripture. In Romans chapter 16 we find these words, “Now to him who is able to establish you, according to the gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ…” (Rom 16:25). The Gospel is what establishes our hearts upon the foundation of Christ. When James commands you to establish your heart in preparation for the Second Advent, he is telling you to listen to the Gospel of Christ. How do we properly observe Advent? How do we get ready for Jesus’ Coming? By gladly hearing and receiving the Words of Jesus. The Church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. You too, as a member of the church, are established upon this foundation.

And so, this Advent, as we remember the First Advent of our Lord and prepare for his Second Advent, let us hear his Word with repentance and gladness, trusting that the Holy Spirit will bring about a plentiful harvest within us. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you in his kingdom forever. Amen (1 Peter 5:10).