May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.

Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty-- he is the King of glory. (Psalm 24:7-10)

Ah, dearest Jesus, Holy Child, make Thee a bed soft undefiled within my heart that it may be a quiet chamber kept for Thee. Amen

Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty-- he is the King of glory.

In Christ's name and to his glory, dear friends: Tonight we are hearing and singing one of the finest Advent hymns-Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates. These are the words of King David to his people and God's words to us. As we consider them, I would like us to think about the circumstances in which they were first heard, and what this encouragement, this admonition, these urging words mean. Then, I pray, we will be able to see how these words are very fitting for us this and every Advent, yes, even written by God specifically for us. LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, YOU MIGHTY GATES.

As you may have read, David wrote this Psalm, this hymn, as part of the celebration in bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The Ark, this gold-covered box, was built at God's command, and Moses & Aaron had placed inside the Ark the stone tablets of the 10 commandments, Aaron's walking stick, and some of the manna, which Israel ate during the 40 years in the wilderness. The Ark was placed inside the inner room, the Most Holy Place, of the tabernacle. When the people saw the Ark it reminded them of the Lord's gracious presence with his people. The Lord had spoken about the Ark in such a way that the people were to know that where the Ark was, there the Lord was. In that way the Ark was much like the Word and Sacraments in the New Testament times-where these are God and his blessings can always be found. The Psalm was encouraging the people to open up the massive gates of the city to give a royal and fitting welcome to the Lord.

Did they really need this encouragement? Wouldn't it only be natural to eagerly welcome the Lord and his Ark into the city? Yes, in as much as these were God's children of faith, the people of Israel would gladly welcome the Ark. But remembering that all people since Adam and Eve (even believers) still struggle against temptation and sin, these people needed the reminder to eagerly welcome the Lord. Fresh off the victory of conquering the city every soul from the mighty warrior King David down to the humblest child in the city needed the reminder of who had won the battle. Not by man's strategy or might but by the gracious power of God the city now was the possession of Israel. And when it came to defending this city, again it would not be David and his armies but the Lord. David is being a true spiritual leader for Israel here. He is saying, don't look to me; here is your help-the Lord Almighty. Welcome him. Give him honor for all blessings received. Put your hope in him. He comes to you to bless you. Open wide to him. Let nothing hinder him!

Do we need the same advice? I venture the answer-Yes! Ah, but you say, Pastor, who would hinder Jesus from coming to him/her? Certainly not me! I pray not. But then I remember the first time he came. No one would even give him and his mom a bed so that he could come into our world in a fitting place. Instead he had to come in by way of the barn.

But you say, Yes, but they didn't know who the baby was. If they did, they would have made room. But then I remember that Herod knew who the baby was-the King of Israel-and what kind of welcome did he give? None. In fact he tried to kill the Christchild who came to him and his people!

But you say, Yes, but he was a wicked unbeliever. We expect no better from him. But then I remember far more respectable people, the crowds. Jesus was coming to them. There he was speaking to them. I am the Bread of Life come down from heaven to give you life. This is a hard teaching, they said. And from that time on many of his disciples left him. (John 6)

But you say, Yes, but they weren't really believers. Certainly I would never fail to give Jesus a fitting welcome. But then I remember that three of Jesus closest friends could not even stay awake when Jesus was doing the greatest work that he came to do for us-obeying God's law and suffering for our sins. Could you not watch with me one hour? He asked in amazement. Yes, even people who know better are in danger of closing the door on Jesus.

And then I remember my own laziness. We can be so dull to Jesus coming to us in the Word and Sacrament. God forgive us! Thank you, Lord, for the Advent reminder-open up to Jesus! Don't hinder him from coming to you!

So how shall we lift up our heads to him this Advent season? Just this:

Know where and how Jesus comes so that you don't unknowingly hinder him. To the means of grace, to Word and Sacrament! Fling wide the portals of your hearts to these, then you fling wide the portals of your heart to Jesus, for in these he comes. Many see these as unimpressive, humble, useless, and not what they need at the moment. But don't let their simplicity fool you. Worship, listen, read, ponder, to the altar for the Supper, recall your Baptism. This is the fitting Advent welcome.

Know why he comes so you don't unknowingly hinder him. He comes to cleanse, to cleanse by working contrition, to cleanse by making us depend on his sacrifice for sin. Many souls reject him for when Jesus comes with these riches that last forever, they'd much rather have earthly diamonds, an easy life, mere temporary blessings and they dismiss Jesus as if he can not help them. He may not set you free from some thorn in the flesh, but that's not why he comes now. Now the cross and the joy of forgiveness, later will come the elimination of all thorns. Fling wide the portals of your hearts-give Jesus the honor of being your Savior!

Know when he comes so that you don't unknowingly hinder him. Now is the time-Advent, but not only Advent. Every season is the season to welcome Jesus. Until that day when our gracious goal is won and we continue our Advent welcome in heaven forever.     Amen.