Advent means “coming,” and it names the season that prepares us to receive the Lord Jesus, who has come in the flesh, who will come again, and who comes among us even now. This Advent, we cry out for the One who comes, and we focus on the Good Shepherd, who is the redemption of the whole creation. The angels who appeared to Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph all proclaimed, “Fear not!” God’s word also breaks into the fears of our world with the promise of Christ. Indeed God is our salvation; we will trust and will not be afraid.

Fear not! Christ is coming soon.

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

Matthew D. O’Rear
Interim Dean of the Chapel