In the Collect for the first Sunday of Advent, we asked God to prepare us for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Collect for the second week of Advent built on that prayer by asking God to comfort us with His Word as we wait for Christ’s return. Now, in the Collect for the third Sunday of Advent, we make two requests. First, we ask God to use His ministers to preach Christ’s message of repentance and salvation to the lost and disobedient; and, second, that by living lives of repentance and salvation, we may be found acceptable in God’s sight when Christ returns. 

As we wait for the Lord’s return, one way to prepare is through daily repentance. The Hebrew word “shuv” and its related Greek word “metanoia” both mean “repent” or “repentance.” Although both words refer to repentance, they carry different nuances. “Shuv” means to change one’s direction, and “metanoia” means to change one’s mind. Clearly, changing one’s mind involves changing directions, and changing directions involves changing one’s mind.

But what should we actually repent for? I suggest using the confession we pray during Sunday services as a helpful guide: “Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.” I don’t know about you, but as for me, every one of my sins comes from my failure to love God with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind, and my failure to love my neighbor as myself.

Since Advent is a season to remember Christ’s first coming and prepare for His second, let us continually turn our lives toward Him and steer clear of desires that easily distract and trap us. Therefore, let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise make ready your way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient toward the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world, we may be found a people acceptable in your sight; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.