Oh, happy, holy portion, relief for all distress, true vision of true beauty, refreshment for the blest! Strive now to win that glory, toil now to gain that light; send hope ahead to grasp it till hope be lost in sight. – LSB 513:4

What season is it? Well, it’s November, so it’s autumn. Even if you don’t have a calendar you know it’s autumn because “Fall is in the air.” It’s cooler, the leaves change color and fall, the days are shorter, and it’s often cloudier. Thus, Bernard of Cluny, a 12th century monk, uses the imagery of clouds gathering as a reminder that the clouds of judgement will one day descend with the Son of Man and His company of angels to judge the living and the dead. Just as you know with the changing of seasons it’s time to prepare for winter, so do you know that we are in the autumn of this world and the time is growing late, therefore we must “be sober and be watchful,” for our Judge is at the gate.

The end of the church year is a reminder that Christ is coming, and He is coming soon. As the new church year begins “advent” literally focuses on the “coming” of Christ, and while many may see December as a time of feasting today, historically Christians treated advent as a time of fasting and preparation for the coming of Jesus, much the same as Lent. This is an important reminder because when Christ returns there is no more time to repent and return to the Lord. We do not know precisely when Christ is coming, but He said it will be soon, and so we need to live in a constant state of readiness. Don’t put off quitting that sin, forgiving that grudge, or inviting that friend to church; we’re in the home stretch, don’t wait.

Although the clouds of judgement gather, and those dark clouds look a bit gloomy from afar, the day of judgment is truly a day of profound joy for the Christian. “Relief for all distressed… Refreshment for the blest!” After this life of many pains and tragedies, amidst its joys, there comes a blessed repose. No more violence, murder, war, arguing, grudges, sinning, death, cancer, funerals, abuse. Soon, a happy, holy portion awaits for you dear Christian. So as the days grow shorter, and the nights grow longer, as the gloom of Satan’s little hour imposes itself on you, don’t be discouraged! The more troubles you see in life, be reminded that the clouds of judgment are gathering and behind the clouds shines Jesus’ blessed light. So, “strive now to win that glory, toil now to gain that light, send hope ahead to grasp it till hope be lost in sight.”

1 The clouds of judgment gather,
The time is growing late;
Be sober and be watchful,
Our judge is at the gate:
The judge who comes in mercy,
The judge who comes in might
To put an end to evil
And diadem the right.

2 Arise, O true disciples;
Let wrong give way to right,
And penitential shadow
To Jesus’ blessèd light:
The light that has no evening,
That knows no moon or sun,
The light so new and golden,
The light that is but one.

3 The home of fadeless splendor,
Of blooms that bear no thorn,
Where they shall dwell as children
Who here as exiles mourn;
The peace of all the faithful,
The calm of all the blest,
Inviolate, unfading,
Divinest, sweetest, best.

4 Oh, happy, holy portion,
Relief for all distressed,
True vision of true beauty,
Refreshment for the blest!
Strive now to win that glory,
Toil now to gain that light;
Send hope ahead to grasp it
Till hope be lost in sight.

Text: Bernard of Cluny, 12th cent.; tr. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship.