Advent isn't a baby shower

LCMS: "John says: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” That is an eschatological reality.

For Him to take away sin, means we have sins, that it is our fault, and for Him to take them away means that He must take them upon Himself and then suffer and die for them. The Babe born to Mary is born to be a Sacrifice and guilt offering. That is a horrible and yet at the same time a joyous thing for faith, for those who fear, love, and trust in God. That joyous sobriety, with an eye toward the end, is the real gift of the season and the cure for what ails and stresses us."


"Advent isn't  baby shower" (David Petersen) full text:
http://blogs.lcms.org/2014/41999
"Repentance isn’t an unhappy thing because it is part of faith and faith, even in its sorrow and mourning, is always joyous. Don’t get me wrong. The fear of the Lord is more than respect. God threatens to punish all who break His commandments. We don’t simply “respect” His wrath, but we fear it, and we strive to obey His commandments because of that fear. But there is more in us, by grace, than fear, even as there is more in repentance than simply sorrow over sin. There is also love and trust, and in that we gladly obey what God has commanded."

The Rev. David Petersen is senior pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Ind.






"When love was born" (Mark Schultz):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKSU9Dbxvrw

Photo: KL (star)