Daily Devotions for Advent
Sunday, November 29, 2020: First Sunday of Advent
Text: Romans 13:11-14. 11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Reflection: The word ‘Advent’ means “coming near” or “almost arrived.” It is a word of anticipation, of hope, as it usually referred to the expected arrival of someone with the power to change the way things were going in a more positive direction. Something good was about to happen. But that important arrival meant that the town to which it was coming had to make preparations. This very important person would not be coming to places where it would just be business as usual; some changes would have to be made.
When Christians adopted the Advent theme as a prelude to celebrating the coming of Christ into the world, they did so with the idea of preparation in mind. The coming of Jesus would indeed change everything; but that meant that a time of preparation would be observed. It is the kind of preparation that Paul talked about, where believers are to take a look at their own lives to see things that do not fit with the kind of life Jesus brings with him. It is a call to reject things that make us feel good physically but hinder the work of God’s spirit within us and through us. And that is what we will focus on through this Advent season--preparing ourselves for His coming to our places, our churches, our communities, so that he might change things through us.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, we are not quite ready for Your coming. Lead us through this season of preparation and hope. Show us where our lives are crowding out Your presence, that we might repent and become people through whom You will come to a world in need. Turn our hearts from self to You and then to others, even as we offer food for the poor and hungry. Amen.
Sunday, November 29, 2020: First Sunday of Advent
Text: Romans 13:11-14. 11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Reflection: The word ‘Advent’ means “coming near” or “almost arrived.” It is a word of anticipation, of hope, as it usually referred to the expected arrival of someone with the power to change the way things were going in a more positive direction. Something good was about to happen. But that important arrival meant that the town to which it was coming had to make preparations. This very important person would not be coming to places where it would just be business as usual; some changes would have to be made.
When Christians adopted the Advent theme as a prelude to celebrating the coming of Christ into the world, they did so with the idea of preparation in mind. The coming of Jesus would indeed change everything; but that meant that a time of preparation would be observed. It is the kind of preparation that Paul talked about, where believers are to take a look at their own lives to see things that do not fit with the kind of life Jesus brings with him. It is a call to reject things that make us feel good physically but hinder the work of God’s spirit within us and through us. And that is what we will focus on through this Advent season--preparing ourselves for His coming to our places, our churches, our communities, so that he might change things through us.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, we are not quite ready for Your coming. Lead us through this season of preparation and hope. Show us where our lives are crowding out Your presence, that we might repent and become people through whom You will come to a world in need. Turn our hearts from self to You and then to others, even as we offer food for the poor and hungry. Amen.