Monday Devotional: November 25, 2024

Bible Reading: Luke 21:25-36 (NRSVUE)

²⁵ “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. ²⁶ People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷ Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. ²⁸ Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” ²⁹ Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; ³⁰ as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. ³¹ So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. ³² Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. ³³ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. ³⁴ “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, ³⁵ like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”

At dawn this Monday, I am frantically cleaning house, washing dishes, and making a grocery list in preparation for Thanksgiving dinner. Jesus warns us that the Son of Man will return one day with power and glory. We must pray and stay alert if we want to be ready for God’s coming judgement and redemption. But for me, there’s no time this week to get ready for anything other than the perfect feast on Thursday.

I do believe in the Second Coming of Christ. However, Jesus appearing suddenly on a cloud in the sky is not central to my Christian faith. Pulling the house together for company is a far easier task for me than preparing for Christ.

And yet, in admitting that I would rather not prepare for the coming of Christ, I find myself hoping to do just that. Too often I get caught up in the busyness of Christmas shopping, party planning, and house decorating. What if I took seriously the invitation of Advent to watch and wait for the coming of Christ? Instead of letting the anxieties of day-to-day life weigh me down, what if I carved out quiet moments for meditation and prayer each morning?

This Advent we can prepare for the birth of the baby Jesus and the return of Christ in final victory. We can live in the tension between God’s promise of a restored world and the pain that comes with transformation. By doing so, we will discover that getting ready for Christ is more meaningful than getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Prayer

Stir up in me, O God, the desire to watch and wait for the coming Christ. Come, Lord Jesus, come! Amen.

By Sally O. Langford, The Upper Room Disciplines 2015, page 340.

Advent Bible Study

“On the Way to Bethlehem”
By Rob Fuquay

Session 1: Rome: A Place of Longing
Bible Readings: Luke 2:1-3, Romans 8:18-25

Session Goals

1. Reflect on our experiences and insights gained from the journeys we have taken;
2. Understand how Roman rule shaped Jewish longings in Jesus’ day, and how the authority and impact of modern “Romes” can shape deep longings now.
3. Appreciate the metaphors Paul uses to discuss present suffering, future hope, and present waiting in Romans 8:18-25.
4. Identify practical actions we can take about social issues that concern us as willing participants in God’s activity in the world.

ZOOM Session

Monday, November 25, 2024, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
For Zoom Link, send email to [email protected]

IN-PERSON Session

Wednesday, November 27, 2024, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Conference Room, McGee Building