This weekend we are entering a new church year with the season of Advent. Advent means "coming" and is a season of preparation for the celebration of the coming Savior at Christmas. It is also a time of reflection and repentance. Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for the Savior through a preaching of "repentance for the remission of sins" (Luke 3:4), so we also prepare through repentance over our sin.

In the hymn "Ye Sons of Men, Oh, Hearken" we are reminded of the need for sinners to receive forgiveness through the work of Jesus. Without Jesus there can be no forgiveness, no hope of eternal life. God desires the salvation of every sinner, which is why He planned salvation through the incarnation and death of His own Son. He also sends His Spirit to work in our hearts to prepare us for receiving that gift, through true understanding of our sin, sorrow over it, and faith in Jesus' work for us. Through His Law and Gospel, this important work of preparation is carried out. "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:6).

With Valentinus Thilo, we join in praying:

"Prepare my heart, Lord Jesus,

May the LORD prepare each of us through true repentance and faith in Jesus during this Advent season and always, and enable us to thank Him through the loud praises we offer Him in our worship and with our lives!