Saint Athanasius Lutheran Church

In this week’s message, we hear Paul’s urgent reminder: you know the time. Not clock time, but the spiritual moment we live in—one where Christ’s return draws nearer each day. The temptation is to hit the snooze button, to drift through life distracted, sleepy, or spiritually drowsy. But Scripture calls us to wake up, to live as people who know what hour it is. We prepare by crying out “Hosanna” as the crowds once did, receiving Christ in Word and Sacrament, and practicing for His final coming each time we gather at the altar. Paul urges us to cast off the works of darkness, repent, and put on the armor of light—living as people clothed with Christ in Baptism. Advent invites us to stay awake, to connect the manger, the cross, and Christ’s promised return. We prepare not just for Christmas Day, but for the Last Day, living out Christ’s love in service to our neighbors. So we pray: Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come—wake us, arm us with Your light, forgive us, and keep us ready for the day when the Savior of