A Season of Renewal: Embracing Repentance This Advent

Dear Friends of Unity Lutheran Church,

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

As we enter this new season of Advent, whether you are reading this before or after December 1, many of our familiar traditions begin to take shape. The Advent wreath is lit, the church calendar starts anew, and the color blue adorns our sanctuary. These traditions guide our worship life, just as you may have meaningful traditions for your family and home.

But amidst all these customs, Advent is designed to do one thing: call us to repentance.

That was the message of John the Baptist as he prepared the way for the coming Messiah: “Repent!” The Creator and Savior of the world took on flesh and came to dwell among us—one who could resist all temptations of the devil without sin, one who willingly suffered and died for His creation so that we might receive salvation.

The only appropriate response to His presence is repentance. To repent means to reflect on our lives—our thoughts, words, and deeds—and to honestly admit the ways we have fallen short. It’s tempting to compare ourselves to others and think, “I’m not so bad.” But when we measure ourselves against the perfect Savior, we find no room for pride.

Repentance is about speaking the truth of who we are and asking for God’s forgiveness. And when we do, God pours out His unconditional love, grace, and peace. There is no depth to which we can fall where His grace cannot reach us.

This Advent, perhaps the best thing we can do is start a new tradition: make it a season of repentance. Whether alone at home, in your car, or during worship, pour out your heart to God and confess the truth of who you are. Repent and receive His forgiveness. Join us in worship, where together we hear the life-giving words spoken anew: “I forgive you all your sins.”

Let this be a season of renewal. And as you do, may the peace of God, which guards your hearts and minds, keep you in Christ Jesus until His glorious return.

Amen.

Your Brother in Christ,
Pastor Jim Dorner