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THE FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT November 30, 2025 Pastor Tom Steers Chrit the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto Our Opening Hymn is: 331 “The Advent of Our King” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFXEzRV8pU0... Confession and Absolution Page 184-185 The Introit – Psalm 25:4–5, 21–22; Ps 25:1–3a To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame. Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame. Kyrie (Lord Have Mercy) Lord have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us. Lord have mercy upon us. Pastor: The Lord be with you. Congregation: And with thy Spirit. Our Collect Prayer – Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Our Bible Readings: Old Testament Jeremiah 23:5-8 Psalm 24 Epistle Reading Romans 13:8-14 Gospel Reading Matthew 21:1-9 THE APOSTLES’ CREED Page 192 HYMN OF THE DAY: 332 “Savior of the Nations, Come” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKO-C5NTNvA... THE SERMON -- “Lift your heads, our King is Coming” Brothers and sisters, peace, grace, and mercy be to you from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Advent begins not with sentimentality, shepherds, or stars, but with a royal procession. A King approaches His city. A crowd gathers. The air is electric with expectation, hope, but also misunderstanding. Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy, presenting Himself openly as the promised Messiah. This is how the new Church year begins—by remembering that Christ has come in humility, continues to come in His means of grace, and will come again in glory. The Gospel reading from Matthew 21 may strike us as more fitting for Palm Sunday, and, in a way, it is. Yet the lectionary places it here on this First Sunday of Advent because the season is not only preparation for Christmas. Advent is preparation for Christ. His incarnation in the flesh. His coming in Word and Sacrament. And His final return to judge the living and the dead. In childhood, we can’t wait for Christmas, for the presents, the treats, but Holy Scripture calls us to tap the brakes on the celebration to pause and consider why Christ came. To reflect on His grace, His sacrifice, and our absolute need. So, the Church calls us not to nostalgia, but to vigilance, repentance, and hope. Matthew tells us that as Jesus approached Jerusalem, He sent two of His disciples into a nearby village to retrieve a donkey and her colt. He gives precise instructions. And everything unfolds exactly as He says. This isn’t improvisation, or a spontaneous parade. It is divine purpose. Jesus is making His entrance as the true Heavenly King – yes, the Son of David, but also the righteous Branch promise in the Old Testament. Jeremiah 23 speaks directly to the moment: “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.” Israel had a long history of kings who failed — leaders who led people into idolatry, injustice, and ruin. But God promised a King like no other. One who would save, would shepherd. A Sovereign who would gather His scattered flock. And in Matthew 21, that King arrives. But He doesn’t come with chariots, war horses, and an army. He arrives with a borrowed donkey, accompanied by fishermen and common people. His royal procession is marked not by earthly grandeur, but divine humility. He is a King who conquers not by force, but by sacrifice. A King who is crowned with thorns and reigns from the cross. Psalm 24 asks, “Who is this King of glory?” And the answer is both majestic and mysterious: “The Lord, strong and mighty… the Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.” Christ approaches His temple. The gates are called to lift up their heads. Not because the King is small, but because He is great. In holiness. In mercy. Great and ready for the mission He’s come to fulfill. But the crowds that day didn’t grasp the nature of His kingship. They cry out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Hosanna”—is a prayer that means, “Save us now.” They longed for salvation, but didn’t understand the kind of healing He came to bring. They wanted liberation from Rome. Yet, Christ came to bring forgiveness of sin. They sought a political kingdom. But Christ came to establish an eternal kingdom and liberation from death and the devil. So, Advent confronts us with necessary questions: Do we desire the King as He truly is? Or do we prefer a king of our own making? These questions are critical, because Romans 13 reminds us that “the night is far gone; the day is at hand.” Paul calls the Church to wake from sleep, and put on the armor of light. Advent isn’t passive waiting. It’s active preparation. The laying aside of things we would rather keep hidden. It is receiving the One who came to save us from ourselves. Paul writes, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh.” This is Advent language. A life marked by Baptismal repentance. It is the life of faith lived in the certain hope of Christ’s appearing. To “put on Christ” is to cling to Him as the One who justifies us by His blood. It is the identity He gives us —children of light, forgiven sinners. A redeemed people awaiting the final revelation of Christ’s victory on the Last Day. When Jesus enters Jerusalem, the whole city is buzzing, asking, “Who is this?” Today, the world still asks the same question. Some see Him as a moral teacher. Others as a spiritual guide. Some fear Him as a threat to their sinful autonomy. Only faith sees Him as He reveals Himself — the Lamb of God, the Savior of sinners, the Righteous King whose kingdom is not of this world. Advent sharpens our vision. It teaches us to see Christ as Redeemer. To realize our need clearly and understand the world’s desperate condition. It reminds us that the King who comes in humility will come again in glory. To judge. Rescue. To make all things new. And until that day, He comes to us now. Present in His Word, that creates and sustains faith. In Holy Baptism, in which He saves us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. In His Supper, where He gives us His true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, just as He said. He comes where His Gospel is rightly proclaimed. And all of this because He is Emmanuel — God with us. So, as we enter this holy season, we echo the cry of the Palm Sunday crowd, but with a deeper understanding. With Christian faith. Hosanna. Save us, Lord. Save us from sin’s bondage. From our pride, apathy, our fear. And save us for Yourself. For the King who came riding in humility will come again in glory. The King who once wore thorns will wear a crown. The One who hung upon a cross will reign forever to give us eternal life. This is our hope and confidence. The real promise of Advent. Brothers and sisters, lift up your heads. Your King is coming. And blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen. PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT Page 194 Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) Page 195 The Lord’s Prayer Page 196 Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) Page 198 Post-Communion Collect (Left-hand column) Page 201 CLOSING HYMN: 343 “Prepare the Royal Highway” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD-fmRA196Q...