Jesus Christ… who is the faithful witness,
the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Rev. 1:5-6
Lord Jesus, in just 4 days, Advent will peak with Christmas Day—with all its joys, eats, and implications. Among the many things your first coming accomplished, I am especially thrilled this year to remember, as this Scripture affirms, that you are already the “ruler of the kings of the earth.”
And I’m on tip-toes with joy, (along with tons of my praying friends), for your second Advent, when you will usher in the fullness of your Kingdom. I’ve never more craved the Day when your blessings will have flooded every place, “far as the curse is found”—all things new, and no more death, crazy, and pain.
I went to bed last night disgusted and grieved about the divisiveness, gamesmanship, and meanness permeating American politics. But I don’t want to camp out there in this prayer. For the Roman world into which you were born was many times more broken, sick, and evil than ours—as hard as that is to imagine.
So once again, I come back to the main thing—the main One; to you, Lord Jesus. Thank you for freeing us from our sins, and loving us as much as you do. Thank you for making us “a kingdom and priests”—that is, those who have been given citizenship in heaven, intimacy with you, and an eternity of joy. We are blessed and beloved beyond all measure.
May the sure hope of your present and coming Kingdom, compel us to live as conduits of your redemption, healing, mercy, and justice. Keep us from cynicism, Jesus. Keep us humble, gentle and kind as we love our neighbors and eagerly await your return. So very Amen I pray, in your loving and worship-worthy name.