LBW 31, “Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying,” v. 1
Devotion
"Wake, awake, for night is flying,"
The watchmen on the heights are crying;
"Awake, Jerusalem, arise!"
Midnight hears the welcome voices
And at the thrilling cry rejoices:
"Oh, where are ye, ye virgins wise?
The Bridegroom comes, awake!
Your lamps with gladness take!
Hallelujah!
With bridal care
Yourselves prepare
To meet the Bridegroom, who is near."
Our daughter was born nearly three weeks later than expected, largely because of a miscalculated due date. With an original due date of Dec. 13, I anticipated being home with my baby by Christmas. Instead, with each appointment, the date was moved back, creating a waiting period that extended well beyond Advent. But I was hardly passive as I waited. I ate eggplant. I walked and exercised. My husband and I prepared the baby’s room several times over. We nested. We rested. We prayed.
Today’s Advent hymn speaks of waiting for the Bridegroom with joyful anticipation and preparation. While God is about the work of fulfilling promises, God’s people are about the work of preparing for the new life and reality that God is birthing among them. Through baptism, God calls us to be coworkers. Advent is a time we celebrate this calling, looking forward with hope, anticipation and preparation to the new realities God ushers in.
Prayer
Come, Lord Jesus, help us to prepare our lives and communities for your coming with joy, hope and gladness. Amen.