Advent and the Communion of Saints

[This is my Faith Post for December 2024.] 

In this Advent season we consider our sins and turn in repentance towards the mercy of our Savior Jesus.  This is all part of our preparation and anticipation of Jesus' 2nd Coming.   It is also practical to say, we spend a lot of time in this season thinking about Christmas and the holiday celebrations.  On one hand, it is a great blessing to gather and celebrate and share gifts and big meals. So many opportunities for joy!  On the other hand, this season can come across with so much difficulty for those dealing with the stresses of all the change and expectation.  This season also brings to the forefront so much loss and grief when we struggle to handle the absence of loved ones.

What are we to do with this all?  I would commend to you the Communion of Saints. We confess this weekly in the Apostles Creed.  We confess that we believe as saints in Christ we are bound together, one to another, as the body of Christ.  I believe this is an especially wonderful teaching for us to remember in a season like this when we are missing so many of the absent saints.  It is wonderful because it reminds us of the singular thing on this earth, right here, right now, that can bring us closer to those saints we miss so dearly.

Every time you approach the Lord's Table for Holy Communion I want you to think of the Communion of Saints.  I want you to see the earthly saints with your own two eyes and know that they are one with you as we partake of the body and blood of Christ.  I would also have you envision that at the same time in heaven all of the beloved saints are also in Communion with us.  You can almost picture the Communion rail that we kneel at extending through time and space into heaven, and the saints in white robes in heaven are also at that rail with us.  We commune together as we receive the body and blood of Christ.  That brings us as close as we'll ever be in what remains of this life.  Don't forget it!  Rejoice in it! It's wonderful.

To God be the glory.

Mark Witte is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church.
You can contact him at pastorwitte@gmail.com