Advent has a purpose. It is a time of anticipation, a time to get ready to celebrate God’s goodness in sending Christ Jesus. We think of how Christ came once to be our Savior, and that He is coming again to be our Judge. Each year during this season, the assigned Scripture lessons have a recurring theme. The same words appear over and over again in those readings. One of those theme words is “Watch!”

Luke 21:25-36 25 “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.  26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.  30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.  31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.  32 “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.  33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.  34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.  35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth.  36 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.”

So what is it we are to watch for? In the verses just prior to the passage above, Jesus had been speaking to His disciples about the End Times. He said Watch out that you are not deceived.  The disciples wanted to know what to look for, what signs would tell them the end was near. Jesus replies: The heavenly bodies would be shaken, False Prophets would appear, wars, earthquakes, famine, pestilence, persecution for the followers of Christ. All that leads up to this passage. Jesus describes a world coming apart. The sun, moon, stars, and even the sea will be out of control. The picture is frightening: A world out of control. We have all seen glimpses of this: devastating hurricanes, killer earthquakes, tidal waves, tornadoes, volcanoes, meteors crashing to earth. The God who is in control of all this, the God who is in control of nature is the one who warns us to watch. He issues a call to believe, a call to remain steadfast in faith.

So are you watching? Our lives are run by schedules and routines and time clocks and appointments. But where does God fit in? Your watchfulness should keep you focused on God. Does it? Are you watching? Do you keep your appointments to study His Word, to worship in His house, to spend time with Him each day?

Listen to this quote from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt: “We have had the lesson before us over and over again – nations that were not ready and unable to get ready found themselves overrun by the enemy.” That is why Jesus told His disciples and us to watch. That is why God issued the same warning through Peter: Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

God wants you to watch for the Second coming of Christ because the devil wants to lead you away from God, to make sure you are not watching. The devil is trying to destroy you.

We need to remember that we are to watch for the Second Advent, the Second Coming of Jesus. If you remember that, you will remember that there was a First Advent, a First Coming. And therein lies our hope and confidence. Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners. When Jesus came to that Bethlehem stable, He did so in order to save you from your sins and your richly deserved punishment in Hell. He would accomplish that for you by living a life without sin, offering that life as your payment, letting Himself be crucified in your place. He took your penalty. And then He rose again and lives even to this day in triumph over sin, death and the devil. That victory is yours as well. This is the promise that is repeated throughout Scripture. All you need to make it your own is faith. Faith in Christ assures you of forgiveness and eternal life.

This same Jesus is coming again. That is why you need to Watch! God promises in His Word that the Second Coming will be for the purpose of judgment. Those who have faith in Jesus will be welcomed into His eternal kingdom. Those without faith will be excluded. So as you watch, believe! That’s all it takes. That is how God wants to find you when He comes: believing in Christ as your Savior.