Preparing for Advent

November 30, 2019

Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:36-44

‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.

Why are we letting our house be broken into? Christ has come. Have we forgotten that? Christ showed us the way, the truth, and the life*. Why are we ignoring what we are taught?

‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.

‘I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.  (John 14:15-18)

As you may have guessed, I am not “into” what is dubbed the second coming. I am “into” changing the world in which we now live into the vision Christ has for us loving one person at a time as I learn to love all people all the time and to walk with others as they do the same. I surely do not have all the answers and am not perfect by any means. I do serve the living God who is love and foresees how this massive puzzle we call the world and all that is in it can dwell in harmony. I trust that as we all grow in love with the guidance of the Spirit, we can end the brokenness of our world. I like to think when Christ returns, he will be very pleased to find we are living the way he taught us.

Prayer: Thank you for the gift of the Spirit. Help us keep the lines of communication open with the Spirit and uncluttered with the things of the world. Amen.

*See John 14:16

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.