[guest post by JVW]

Behold.

I would like to wish Jewish people in Britain and across the world a very happy #Hanukkah. pic.twitter.com/J49mD0I06Q

— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) December 2, 2018

I can’t wait to see the holiday greetings from Linda Sarsour, Ilhan Omar, and Louis Farrakhan.

As for me, I have no issue with wishing חנוכה שמח to the Jewish people all over the world.

– JVW

It is the first Sunday of Advent. The title of today’s Bach cantata is “Wachet! betet! betet! wachet!” (Watch! Pray! Pray! Watch!).

A new church year begins today, and we are now in Year C of the Revised Common Lectionary. Today’s Gospel reading is Luke 21:25-36:

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

The text of today’s piece is available here. It contains these words, telling followers of Christ that they need not fear the day of judgment, when the Son of Man comes in his great glory to judge the wicked and the righteous:

Be afraid, obdurate sinners!
A day dawns,
from which no one can hide:
it rushes upon you with stern judgment,
O! sinful race,
to your eternal sorrow.
Yet for you, chosen children of God,
it is the beginning of true joy.

. . . .

Indeed the time is here
when God’s Son will come
in His great glory
to judge the wicked and the righteous.

Happy listening! Soli Deo gloria.

[Cross-posted at The Jury Talks Back.]