Advent: The Most Lutheran of Seasons

Lutherans are often portrayed as being “Lent” sort of people. Somber, slow chorales. Serious, meditative worship. Deliberate and determined people with their eyes set toward the cross. Anyone looking too happy or cheerful must be a charismatic or something. Yet, if anyone is looking too sad or melancholy, they must not know that Jesus loves them.

Sometimes it’s hard being a Lutheran.

Yet in comes the season of Advent. Advent is a time of urgency and waiting. It is a time of being prepared for Jesus’ return at any moment and knowing that moment has already been 2000 years in coming. We have our eyes set toward our work and worship and also toward the clouds awaiting Christ’s coming. The hymns of this season are joyous and hopeful, yet at the same time, penitential.

Advent seems to reflect the paradox which is Lutheranism.

We look for the coming Savior, but we do so with both repentance and joy. Though our church may be decorated for Christmas, the Bible lessons for this season of Advent really do not reflect a period of pre-Christmas. Rather, they reflect the judgment of the Flood and the judgment of the Last Day, the call to repentance by the prophets and John the Baptizer, and Jesus’ and Paul’s admonition to watch and wait for the coming of Christ in the clouds.

This short season of Advent – only four weeks long – perfectly reflects what it means to be a Lutheran Christian in our world today.

We are told by our society to have parties with our family during this “holiday” season, but then conflict inevitably ensues. We are encouraged to shop, spend and stay busy from “Black Friday” until all the after Christmas sales are over. Our American culture pushes us to have everything now and that this time of the year is all about gifts.

This is also the time of the year in Wisconsin that is often the darkest with less sunlight and more depression.

Yet there is hope in this Advent season. It stands in stark contrast to the fake and plastic joy of our culture.

Advent says to us:

·         The hope Christ offers is real, not contrived.

·         Slow down. Watch. Be ready. Don’t be consumed by this world. Rather, focus on the world to come.

·         Wait. We have the Gifts of God now, but not in fullness.

·         Peace is coming – in the manger, then upon a cross, and finally in the clouds.

·         Examine the past so that you may live in the present and focus on the future.

·         This season is necessary, that’s why you need both the Sunday morning and the midweek Advent services.

Advent. What a great time to be a Lutheran!

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Come. Amen.

Watching and waiting,

Pastor Michael D. Zarling



Midweek Advent Theme: The Songs of Advent

It has been said that music is an outburst of the soul and the literature of the heart. Music played a huge role as the Christ was about to be born into the world. Mary sang God’s praises in her Magnificat. Zechariah blessed the God of Israel in his Benedictus. And the angels sang to the shepherds with their Gloria in Excelsis.

These songs of Advent have been a part of the Christian Church for two millennia. We celebrate this Advent season by singing these ancient songs which still speak to our hearts, lift up our souls and magnify our Lord.

Nov 30: Benedictus – Pastor Zarling

Dec 7: Gloria – Pastor Roekle

Dec 14: Magnificat – Pastor Janke


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