Advent: A season for repentance and fruit bearing

“[John the Baptist] said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “you brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘we have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. —Luke 3:7-9 ESV

Contrary to some signs I see throughout Sikeston, Advent is not a season for peace. The season for peace is the Christmas season (which actually begins Christmas day). Advent is less than peaceful, to be honest. Advent is a season for repentance; for self-preparation. Repentance isn’t peaceful (at least in my experience). Repentance requires sacrifice, courage and a change of heart. Repentance sometimes requires unpeaceful motivations, like John the Baptist’s words to the crowds.

The crowds thought that they were at peace with God simply because of their lineage to Abraham. They thought that there was nothing to fear, no problems of eternal significance, nor any real reason to change their thoughts, attitudes and behaviors. Why? The crowds thought their birthright covered a multitude of sins. What’s the use of repenting? We have Abraham as our father!

Yet the Baptist’s cry rings in their ears: “Repent; the Kingdom of God stands near; bear fruits in keeping with repentance.” Prepare to meet your God. Prepare yourselves. Get ready; repent. If you are repentant, bear fruit in keeping on being repentant. Do the things God asks of you, listen to Him. Be warned: those who are unrepentant, who do not bear good fruit aren’t actually repentant and are thrown into the fire. Peaceful words from John? I don’t think so. Helpful words? Encouraging words? In a manner of speaking, yes! Repentance is a good behavior to take up as follows of Jesus.

The Baptist’s cry is also for you: turn back to God this advent in humble thanksgiving and with penitent hearts. Don’t let this Advent season become like everything else in life that is mundane, to be forgotten or flaked on. Christ’s Advent is real, tangible, and for you. Christ’s coming is something to be prepared for; to have some spiritual unrest in your heart. Stir up your hearts, dearly loved people of God! Stir up your hearts, dear saints. Stir up your hearts, destitute sinners. The King of Kings is coming. Your God is being laid in a manger for you on Christmas. Then (and only then), will there be true peace on earth.

The Rev. Matthew Berry is pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Sikeston, Missouri. Based in Sikeston’s Historic North End, Concordia is a member congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), a theologically conservative, biblically sound, Christ-centered church.