Come Lord Jesus series: Thursday Third Week of Advent

 Come Lord Jesus Series

Advent Wreath: Come Lord Jesus series Icon.

Thursday — Third Week of Advent (Year A)

Entrance Antiphon:

“Christ our King is coming;

He is the Lamb foretold by John.”

Reflection

Advent now turns our gaze very deliberately toward the person of Christ Himself. Today’s Entrance Antiphon makes no attempt to soften or generalise the mystery: “Christ our King is coming.” The Church names Him plainly. The child we await is not only gentle and vulnerable; He is King — the one to whom all authority belongs, the one before whom every heart must eventually bow.

Yet this kingship is immediately defined in an unexpected way: “He is the Lamb foretold by John.” Advent refuses to separate glory from humility. Christ comes as King, but He comes as Lamb — the Lamb proclaimed by John the Baptist, the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. His reign is not one of domination, but of self-giving love. His throne will be a cross; His crown will be of thorns.

By placing these two images side by side, the liturgy teaches us how to recognise Christ when He comes. If we expect power without sacrifice, we will miss Him. If we look only for gentleness without authority, we will misunderstand Him. Advent trains the heart to hold both together: majesty and meekness, sovereignty and surrender.

John the Baptist stands quietly behind this antiphon. He does not draw attention to himself. He points. He names. He prepares the way by teaching us how to see rightly. As Advent nears its end, the Church begins to speak more clearly, more urgently: this is who is coming. Not a vague hope, not a comforting symbol — but Christ, King and Lamb, Savior and Judge, mercy and truth united in one person.

This antiphon also asks something of us. If Christ is King, then our lives are not our own. If He is Lamb, then the way of discipleship will involve humility, patience, and love that costs something. Advent joy deepens here into commitment. Rejoicing gives way to readiness.

We are no longer simply waiting.
We are preparing to receive Him.

Practice for Today:
Pray slowly:
“Jesus, my King and my Lamb,
teach me to recognise You as You truly are.”