​Day 16
A Time of Preparation
 
 
Opening Prayer
 
“Most merciful God, who so loved the world as to give thine only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life: Grant unto us, we humbly pray thee, the precious gift of faith, that we may know that the Son of God is come, and may have power to overcome the world and gain a blessed immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Methodist Book of Worship, 1965)
 
Scripture Reading
 
Matthew 25:1-13
 
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
 
The Great Tradition
 
“The wise virgins are those who, embracing the time available to them, were prepared at the first onset of the coming of the Lord. But the foolish were those who were lax and unmindful. They troubled themselves only over present matters and, forgetting what God said, did not direct their efforts toward hope for resurrection.” (Hillary of Poitiers)
 
Prayer of Confession
 
“Lord, so often we have tended to take the salvation you came to bring the world for granted and we have forgotten the price you paid that we might have eternal life. Forgive us, Lord, and where there are those who need to hear the Good News, send us; and where there are those who need your ministry, lead us to their side. In the holy name of Christ, we pray. Amen.” (James R. Wilson)
 
Reflection
 
We sometimes forget that the season of Advent is a time of repentance. That is how the early church thought of it. We often think of repentance as purely a Lenten emphasis. That is because we focus primarily on the first coming (advent) of our Lord. However, if you have been keeping up with these Advent devotions, you have no doubt noticed the number of Scriptural texts that focus on the Lord’s return, (second advent), on being ready for “the Day of the Lord, etc. Today’s text is no exception.
 
Perhaps you have heard the saying, “Don’t be so heavenly-minded that you are no earthly good.” But those Christians who have made the greatest impact throughout Christian history are those who have been so heavenly-minded that they couldn’t help but be earthly good. That’s because they took the words of Scripture seriously. When our Lord calls us to “watch,” he is not commanding us to sit on the top of a mountain and think spiritual thoughts. While we do want to have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) and let our hearts and minds dwell in heaven (Colossians 3:1-2), that doesn’t mean we never leave our proverbial (or literal) prayer closets.
 
Instead, we faithfully watch and wait for the Lord by bearing witness and serving in his name. That is why hospitals, schools, orphanages, and a whole array of evangelistic, mercy, and justice ministries have been around for as long as the church. And yes, we worship, pray, read and study Scripture, enjoy the fellowship of the saints and more. It’s a both/and form of discipleship and not an either/or. Therefore, let us be like the wise virgins who were prepared for the bridegroom’s return. Let us be like the wise man who built his house upon the rock who (Matthew 7), according to Jesus, not only listened to the words of Jesus, but also obeyed them.
 
Key Principles
 

• A Balanced Christian Life: The Christian life is a delicate balance between contemplative moments of seeking God and active engagement in serving others. It’s not an “either/or” but a “both/and” approach to discipleship. The wise virgins were not only prepared but engaged actively in the moment.

 

• Taking Scripture Seriously: The call to “watch” is not a passive waiting but an active readiness. Scripture invites us to be heavenly-minded, yet deeply involved in the world around us as salt and light. It’s not about detachment but an intentional engagement, embodying the teachings of our Lord.

 

• Being Prepared for the Long Haul: The bridegroom’s delay in the parable symbolizes the uncertainty of the Lord’s return. The wise virgins didn’t grow weary; they remained vigilant. Our Christian journey is not a sprint but a marathon, requiring enduring faith and consistent preparedness.

 
Walking Points
 

• Reflect on your natural inclination – are you drawn more to a contemplative life or an action-oriented one? Consider the settings where you feel closest to the Lord and why. How can you integrate both aspects into your pilgrimage with Christ?

 

• If you lean towards contemplation, challenge yourself to find ways to bear witness for Christ actively. If you are more action-oriented, carve out intentional time for solitude and reflection. How can both practices complement each other in your life?

 

• Identify one way you can actively engage in your community, whether through volunteer work, meeting local needs. This aligns with the active preparedness of the wise virgins.

 

• Commit to daily reading and meditating on Scripture. This practice will help you abide in the teachings of Christ, cultivating a deeper connection with God and preparing you for any unexpected moments in this life, as well as keeping you ready for the life to come.

 

• Establish a routine for spiritual reflection and self-examination. Regularly take inventory of your spiritual life – are you vigilant, or have you grown complacent? This intentional practice helps align us with God’s will and the ongoing watchfulness and readiness emphasized in the parable.

 
Conclusion

As we navigate this Advent season, let us observe the timeless lesson of the wise virgins. May we embrace both contemplation and action, taking Scripture seriously, and maintaining a vigilant, enduring faith. Let our lives be a testament to the active readiness of our Lord’s return, ever prepared and watchful. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Day 15
Advancing the Kingdom
 
 
Opening Prayer
 
“O God, who has set before us the great hope that thy kingdom shall come on earth, and has taught us to pray for its coming: Make us ever ready to thank thee for the signs of its dawning, and to pray and work for that perfect day when thy will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Methodist Book of Worship, 1965)
 
Scripture Reading
 
Matthew 11:7-15
 
7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:
“ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’ 
11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
 
The Great Tradition
 
People did not believe in John the Baptist. The works of Christ were held to be of no importance. His torment on the cross was a stumbling block. “Until now” prophecy has been dormant. But now the law is fulfilled. Every prediction is finished. The spirit of Elijah is sent in advance through John’s words. Christ is proclaimed to some and acknowledged by others. He is born for some and loved by others. The violent irony is that his own people rejected him, while strangers accepted him. His own people speak ill of him, while his enemies embrace him. The act of adoption offers an inheritance, while the family rejects it. Sons refuse to accept their father’s last will, while the slaves of the household receive it. This is what is meant by the phrase “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence.” Earlier expectations are being torn apart. The glory that was pledged to Israel by the patriarchs, which was announced by the prophets and which was offered by Christ, is now being seized and carried off by the Gentiles, through their faith. (Hilary)
 
Prayer of Confession
 
“Lord, we wait for a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness will reign, but we confess we have not been leading lives of holiness and godliness. We know that your Son came into the world to show us the way, but while we sing ‘Joy to the world, the Lord is come,’ we have failed to be faithful disciples. Forgive us we pray, and through your Holy Spirit enable us so to live that we might help your kingdom to come, and your will be done here on earth. Amen.”
 
Reflection
 
One of the emphases of my ministry is to call followers of Christ to “extend the Kingdom of God into every sphere of life.” The word “extend” means to stretch, lengthen, prolong, continue, expand, enlarge, offer, put forth, give, impart, and present, just to name a few. While each of those words is similar, each represents a slightly different emphasis which is key in understanding our Christian mission.
 
Interestingly, the 1984 NIV translation of our Scripture emphasizes God’s Kingdom as “advancing.” This has a military ring to it. Jesus adds that forceful (violent, NIV 2011) people lay hold of this forcefully advancing Kingdom. My NIV footnote says,
 
“They enter the kingdom and become Christ’s disciples. To do this takes spiritual courage, vigor, power, and determination because of ever-increasing persecution.”
 
John Piper says advancing the Kingdom of God in such a way requires a “wartime mentality.” The Kingdom of heaven is forcefully advancing yet the kingdom of darkness actively resists it. As people seeking godliness, we are daily fighting for our lives and for the lives of those we love and who’ve been entrusted to our care. The world, the flesh, and the devil are formidable adversaries. If we do not maintain a wartime mentality, being ever vigilant and standing firm in our faith, then we, and those we love, will suffer the ravages of war, the consequences of our poor preparation.
 
Therefore, we must fight the good fight of faith. We must enter the battle through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it (Matthew 7:13-14). This narrow gate is Jesus himself. Living life as his disciple means entering into new life through him and traveling the “Kingdom road” he has set before us, regardless of how narrow and hard it is. Peter says many will leave this Kingdom road and wander off because they love the wages of wickedness (2 Peter 2:15), which results in death (Romans 6:23). The battle rages all around us, but we must stand firm in our faith, or we will not stand at all (Isaiah 7:9).
 
Standing firm takes a wartime mentality. We cannot assume we are ever safe from attack. We must be ever watchful and on guard. We are called, commanded, and expected to fight, persevere, press on, and stand firm. But we are never asked to do this in our strength, but the Lord’s.
 
The wonderful paradox of Scripture is that while we persevere, our hope is not in ourselves. Our hope is in the Lord. The battle is ultimately his.
 
Forceful people lay hold of the Kingdom of God, which our Lord causes to advance in and through his power. Therefore, we work through his power (Colossians 1:29). God’s Kingdom advances as faithful followers of Christ represent their King in every sphere of their lives, even in enemy-occupied territory. 
 
Such a faithful witness will not be easy. After all, it is a war. There will be a cost which we’re commanded to consider before we enter the fray. The enemy shoots his fiery darts at us daily (Ephesians 6:16). He hides and waits to devour us (1 Peter 5:8). The world sends out its false teachers to lead us astray (2 Peter 2:1ff). 
 
In John 17, Jesus does not pray to take us out of such a world, but all throughout Scripture our Lord promises to never leave us nor forsake us. More than that, he fights on our behalf. And in so doing, he advances his Kingdom. Don’t you want to be a part of such a glorious Kingdom? Don’t you want to know such a glorious King? This Advent season we celebrate the King who was born in a manger and ultimately overcame the world. We are called to continue his mission.
 
Key Principles
 

• Recognize Opposition: Jesus explicitly mentions the resistance his Kingdom faces, highlighting the reality of opposition. Just as John the Baptist encountered hostility, so too will we. The world, the flesh, and the devil actively resist the Kingdom’s advance. Reflect on ways unbelievers and believers alike resist God’s Kingdom in your life and community.

 

• Stand Firm in the Faith: In the midst of opposition, standing firm in the faith becomes imperative. Jesus describes a narrow gate and a difficult road leading to life. This narrow path is Jesus himself. Peter warns of the dangers of abandoning this “Kingdom road” for the deceptive allure of wickedness. To stand firm, we must embrace the irony that our perseverance is rooted in the Lord’s strength, not our own.

 

• Engage in the Battle: The Christian life is depicted as a battle. We must not only stand firm but actively engage in the fight. But our battle is not against flesh and blood but the powers and principalities of the kingdom of darkness (Ephesians 6:10ff). The enemy employs various tactics, from fiery darts of accusation and temptation to false teachings. Yet, we are not left defenseless. Jesus, in John 17, prays for us to remain in the world, acknowledging the challenges but promising to never forsake us. We fight with the assurance that the ultimate victory belongs to the Lord.

 
Walking Points
 

• Reflect on ways both unbelievers and believers resist the Kingdom of God. How can you actively counter such resistance in your personal life, family, church, workplace, and community?

 

• Consider instances where you may have resisted God. What were the underlying reasons for your resistance, and how can you overcome them in the future?

 

• Identify three practical ways to “stand firm in the faith” within the various spheres of your life—home, work, community, etc. How can you intentionally represent your King in these areas?

 
Conclusion
 
As we immerse ourselves in the Advent season, let’s embrace a “wartime mentality” in the advancement of God’s Kingdom. Let’s prayerfully and dependently recognize the opposition, stand firm in the faith, and engage in the battle with the assurance that the ultimate victory belongs to our Lord. May this Advent be a season of the intentional and courageous extension of God’s Kingdom into every sphere of our lives. In the words of Jesus, “Whoever has ears, let them hear” the call to actively participate in the forceful advance of the Kingdom. Amen.

Day 14
A Call to Trust and Hope
 
 
Opening Prayer
 
“Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer 2019)
 
Scripture Reading
 
Psalm 37:1-9
 
1 Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
 
The Great Tradition
 
The “land” here indicates the heart of the listener and his soul. We are ordered, therefore, to indwell this land, that is, not to stray far from it, not to run to and fro, far and near, but to dwell and to stand firm within the bounds of our spirits and to consider the land very carefully and to become its tiller just as Noah was and to plant in it the vine and till the land that is within us, “to renew the fallowed ground of our spirits and sow not among the thorns.” Namely, let us purge our spirit from faults, and let us refine rough and harsh ways with the gentleness and the imitation of Christ, and thus finally we may feed from its wealth. (Origen)
 
 
Prayer of Confession
 
“O God, we give you thanks for the gift of love which you have bestowed upon us with the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ, whose birth we are preparing to celebrate. We know that nothing can separate us from your love, for your love is stronger than all the forces of evil. Forgive us, therefore, when we doubt the power of your love, and trust instead in the power of might, the weapons of war and destruction. Strengthen our convictions and make us instruments of your peace. Amen.” (H. Burnham Kirkland)
 
Reflection
 
I love the order of this Psalm.
 
Verse 1 – Do not fret…
Verse 3 – Trust in the Lord and do good…
Verse 4 – Take delight in the Lord…
Verse 5 – Commit your way to the Lord; Trust in him…
Verse 7 – Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him…
Verses 7-8 – Do not fret and refrain from anger…
Verse 9 – Hope in the Lord…
 
How can you abstain from fretting and becoming angry and, instead, hope in the Lord? The Psalmist’s answer is, trust in him, take delight in him, commit your way to him, be still before him, and wait patiently for him. Each of these should be meditated upon. In fact, plan on doing that before the sun goes down today. Take one of these verses and ponder its significance and application in your life.
 
For example, what changes would have to be made in your life to “trust in the Lord and do good,” and to “dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture” (verse 3)? It never occurred to me what Origen said about the land being the heart and soul of the listener. He then directs us to nurture this land. We should tend the soil of our heart and soul and not stray into other lands where such attention will no longer be maintained and thus allow weeds to grow. I can’t help but think of Jesus’ parables of the Sower and the Weeds found in Matthew 13:1-30.
 
Another question to ask God about this text, perhaps an even better one, would be to ask what blessings would flow into your life by “trusting, doing, dwelling, and enjoying” in this way. Moreover, what blessings would flow from your life into the lives of others because you are tending the garden of your heart and soul and enjoying its fruit? That’s a lot for us to think about and that’s just skating along the surface of only one part of one verse. So, let me encourage you to spend some time on these verses today and prayerfully discern which of them God is using to speak to you at this time and place in your life.
 
Key Principles
 

• Trust in the Lord: The Psalmist repeatedly emphasizes the importance of trusting in the Lord. In a world filled with uncertainty, Advent reminds us to anchor our trust in the one who remains steadfast.

 

• Delight in the Lord: Taking delight and joy in the Lord is not just a suggestion but a path to the fulfillment of our heart’s desires. This Advent season, find joy in the presence of the Lord, knowing that he is the source of true delight.

 

• Be Still and Wait Patiently: In the rush of our lives, the call to be still and wait patiently before the Lord can be challenging. Yet, the Advent season urges us to embrace moments of stillness, allowing God’s timing to unfold. Remember, God’s timing is always perfect, therefore, trust him.

 
Walking Points
 

• Today’s “walking points” application is to do what I recommended in the “reflection.” Read and reread today’s verses and prayerfully consider them. Which of these jumps off the page at you? Prayerfully consider the verse and its implications in your life. What images come to mind as you read these words? What thoughts?

 

• After you spend time doing that, spend a few moments reading some study notes on the verse from your Study Bible or a reliable online source. Sometimes the notes and commentary will explain historical details that will help you better understand the text. Sometimes they will assist you in applying these truths in your life in ways you may not have thought of.

 

• Most importantly, pray for the Spirit of the Living God to speak to you as you meditate upon his Word. Pray for him to lead and empower you to hear and obey. And don’t forget, the time you spend with God will draw you into a deeper and closer relationship with him. And that’s the best part!

 
Conclusion
 
As we navigate the Advent season, I pray you will dwell in the land of trust and hope, following the wisdom of the Psalmist. Let’s nurture the soil of our hearts, cultivating a space where the Word of God can take root and flourish. In the stillness of waiting, may we find joy in the Lord and discover the fulfillment of our heart’s desires. This Advent may our lives be a glowing testimony to the power of trusting, delighting, and patiently waiting on the Lord. In the name of our faithful Savior Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Day 13
Vigilance During Advent
 
 
Opening Prayer
 
“Thank you, my God, for the Good News which awaits my coming to you today, and always. Thank you for the grace and mercy which promise to set me free of all the sins and disappointments of life which hinder me on my journey toward your kingdom.” (Rueben Job)
 
Scripture Reading
 
Matthew 24:32-44
 
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
 
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
 
The Great Tradition
 
“All who listen to the depths of the gospel and live it so completely that none of it remains veiled from them care very little about whether the end of the world will come suddenly and all at once or gradually and little by little. Instead, they bear in mind only that each individual’s end or death will arrive on a day and hour unknown to him and that upon each one of us “the day of the Lord will come like a thief.” It is important therefore to be vigilant, whether in the evening (that is, in one’s youth) or in the middle of the night (that is, at human life’s darkest hour) or when the cock crows (at full maturity) or in the morning (when one is well advanced in old age). When God the Word comes and brings an end to the progress of this life, he will gather up the one who gave “no sleep to his eyes nor slumber to his eyelids”10 and kept the commandment of the One who said, “Be vigilant at all times.” (Origen)
 
Prayer of Confession
 
“Almighty God, we who are aware of your power made known to us in the Babe of Bethlehem, realize that we ought to prepare the way for your coming into the lives of others. You have given us the task of witnessing to the hope for renewal that you hold out to all, but we confess that we have not always taken up our responsibility. Forgive us for our shortcomings, Lord, and encourage us as we try to proclaim the good news that Christ came into the world that everyone might have life and have it abundantly. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.” (H. Burnham Kirkland)
 
Reflection
 
There was a day when biblical texts like today’s Scripture unnerved me. The thought of Jesus returning in the middle of this sentence was more than I could handle. But why? What could a Christian desire more than to be in the immediate and unveiled presence of his or her Lord? And yet, when I was in college, I wanted Jesus to return, but only AFTER I graduated, then AFTER I got married, then AFTER my children were born, etc. I feel silly even typing that sentence.
 
I resonate with Origen’s take on this verse very much. He wrote, “All who listen to the depths of the gospel and live it so completely that none of it remains veiled from them care very little about whether the end of the world will come suddenly and all at once or gradually and little by little.” The truth is, we will each stand before the Lord, whether he returns tonight while we’re sleeping or not. Thus, we are called and commanded to faithfully live each day as though it was our last, making the most of the time given us… never being presumptuous (and mistaken) about a guaranteed tomorrow.
 
However, we should not miss the point of our Lord’s warning. Because we do not know when our Lord will return, we had better make sure we are presently in a right relationship with him. I don’t know if it’s ignorance or arrogance to assume one will have ample time to make a deathbed confession in order to get one’s “fire and life insurance” before death takes hold of them. Moreover, even if a person received notice that today was their last, if they didn’t care about Christ and the things of God enough to trust and follow him before, what makes them think they will be able to muster the sincerity of a true confession later?
 
Therefore, Jesus says, “keep watch,” for we do not know when he will return. We want to be ready to meet him whenever our Father in heaven decides. Besides that, true and abundant life begins here and now. Knowing Christ isn’t only eternal life but is also the only way to become all God created, redeemed, and calls us to be here and now. Since that is true, why in the world would we wait? And on a dramatic, yet serious note, why would we try to play the odds of turning to Christ in faith and repentance five minutes before we stand before him? I have a better idea: why not enjoy the fulness of life he offers you right here and now.
 
Key Principles
 

• Live in the Present: The Advent season reminds us to live each day as though it were our last, making the most of the time given to us, and never being presumptuous about a guaranteed tomorrow.

 

• Be Ready: Christ’s return, compared to a thief in the night, urges us to be vigilant and ready, emphasizing the uncertainty of the timing. This readiness goes beyond a future event; it’s about being in a right relationship with Christ in the present.

 

• Abundant Life Here and Now: True and abundant life begins in this life. Knowing Christ is not only about eternal life but also about becoming all that God created, redeemed, and calls us to be in our present moment.

 
Walking Points
 

• Are you presently in a saving relationship with God through Christ? Do you know what that phrase means? If so, share your story or any questions you may have about those two questions with a mature Christian friend. Consider if you’re actively walking with him and seek the guidance of that friend or mentor to deepen your understanding.

 

• How do you react to reading Christ’s words comparing his return with a thief in the night? What is he saying by using that comparison? Spend some time contemplating the metaphor of Christ’s return as a thief in the night. Consider the urgency and surprise associated with it. How does this impact your daily walk with Christ, knowing that his return is unpredictable?

 

• What does it mean to “keep watch,” as Jesus put it? Why should a Christian even care about Christ’s return? Explore the concept of “keeping watch” in your spiritual life. Reflect on why it’s essential for a Christian to be mindful of Christ’s return. Consider practical steps to enhance your spiritual vigilance, such as consistent prayer, studying Scripture, and intentional fellowship with other believers.

 
Conclusion
 
In this season of Advent, let’s heed the call to live in expectation and vigilance. The uncertainty of the timing of Christ’s return should not paralyze us but inspire us to live each day with purpose, cultivating a vibrant relationship with him. As we reflect on today’s Scripture and the wisdom of the Great Tradition, let’s embrace the present, stay vigilant, and share the transformative power of Christ with those in our spheres of influence (our personal mission field) and to a world in desperate need. May our lives be a testimony to the abundant life found in Christ, both now and in the eternal embrace of his unveiled presence. Amen.

Day 12
Rediscovering Our First Love
 
 
Opening Prayer
 
Heavenly Father, during this special time in your presence, as we begin contemplating the wonders of the Advent Season, we invite your Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and illuminate the words of Scripture before us. Grant us the grace to approach your Word with humility, ready to receive both encouragement and conviction. May your love reignite a passion within us, drawing us closer to you during this Advent season. In Christ, we pray. Amen.
 
Scripture Reading
 
Revelation 1:17-2:7
 
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
 
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
 
The Great Tradition
 
“You have sinned, yet you still can be reconciled. You have someone to whom you can make satisfaction, yes, and one who wills it. If you doubt that this is true, consider what the Spirit says to the churches. He charges the Ephesians with “having abandoned charity.” He reproaches the Thyatirenes with fornication and “eating food sacrificed to idols.” He accuses the Sardians of “works that are not complete.”8 He censures the people of Pergamos for teaching false doctrines. He upbraids the Laodiceans for “placing their trust in riches.”10 And yet he warns them all to repent—even adding threats. But he would not threaten the impenitent if he failed to pardon the penitent.” (Tertullian)
 
Prayer of Confession
 
“It shames us to admit to you, compassionate God, our many sins and shortcomings that prevent us from living in covenant with you. We are truly sorry for these, and ask for your mercy, your forgiveness, your grace, and your Spirit to cleanse and purify us. Make us ready for the new life that results whenever you come. In the spirit of advent and the name of the coming Christ we pray. Amen.” (Paul Laughlin)
 
Reflection
 
I like the words from Tertullian in today’s reading from The Great Tradition. He writes, “But [Jesus] would not threaten the impenitent if he failed to pardon the penitent.” In other words, our Lord Jesus would not call his bride, the church, to repent if he did not love her and desire to forgive her. In our day, we do not tend to receive a call to repentance as an act of love, but of judgment. Yet Christians understand (or ought to understand) that it is because we are loved that we are called to repent, to turn away from the wrong path and return to the right one. Such was the case with the church at Ephesus.
 
Jesus began by telling the Ephesians that he had seen their good works and knew they had persevered when it wasn’t easy to do so. They did not put up with wickedness and, furthermore, weeded out false teachers who were leading people astray. He said, “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary” (vv. 2-4). Can you even dream of being commended for your faithfulness by our Lord? I cannot imagine being able to stand under the weight of awe I would feel at hearing such words. Thoughts and feelings of unworthiness would flood my soul. Yet here is our Lord doing just that, extolling the Ephesians for their good works. But he wasn’t done addressing them.
 
He next revealed that they should not be resting on their laurels, for he was not pleased with a great shortcoming of theirs. He said in verses 4-5, “You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen!” Going through the motions of mere religion is not the same thing as enjoying the union of a deep relationship with Christ and bearing its fruit. Orthodox belief and pharisaical obedience are not the same thing as loving God with all one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength. But please don’t misunderstand - believing right things about Jesus is crucial and obedience to him is absolutely vital. But the former ought to lead to greater and deeper love for Christ while the latter should be the result of that loving relationship. The Ephesians, it appears, had drifted from the foundational love for Christ they once had. Furthermore, it was negatively impacting the way they were treating one another. To this, Jesus commanded, “Repent!”
 
Do you have ears to hear when Jesus addresses you like that? Being able to receive such a rebuke from Jesus is painful. When his Holy Spirit brings conviction for sin in my life, I feel like curling up in a corner, the grief is so strong. Yet it’s a life-giving word and we are all the better for hearing it and responding as the Spirit of the risen Lord commands. To those who are obedient to the words of Jesus, he proclaims, “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God” (v. 7). It is Jesus who saves us through his death and resurrection. Moreover, there is no repentance possible if his Spirit is not animating our thoughts, words, deeds, and desires. And still, the fruit of saving faith is manifested in and through the good works for which we were graciously and lovingly created (Ephesians 2:10). Therefore, such works are expected by his covenant children, the church.
 
Key Principles
 

• Called to Repent: Even in the midst of commendation, a sobering truth emerged from our Lord. The church in Ephesus, like many of us, faced a critical sin: they had forsaken their first love. It’s a poignant reminder that honor doesn’t exempt us from the need for continual and habitual repentance. As Tertullian wisely noted, Christ’s call to repentance is an expression of his love, not merely an act of judgment. It calls us to realign ourselves with God’s ways and will.

 

• Love Rediscovered through Repentance: The call to repentance is not a condemnation but an invitation to rediscover the love that stirred us to walk with Christ in the first place. Just as the Ephesians were urged to remember and return to their first love, so too are we called to rekindle the flame of our first love and devotion to Christ.

 

• Growing in Love for Christ: The Ephesians’ challenge is one we all face – the temptation for our love for Christ to become stale. Growth in love requires intentional effort on our part. To paraphrase Dallas Willard, while grace stands against earning it is not against effort. We continue growing as we foster a deep connection with Christ through prayer, studying his Word, and cultivating a heart of gratitude by paying attention to his goodness in our lives. This, of course, is enabled only through the gracious power of God’s Spirit working in and through us.

 
Walking Points
 

• How do you think you would react if Jesus commended you for your faithfulness? What emotions would you experience?

 

• How do you usually respond to Christ’s call in your life to repent of your sinful thoughts, words, deeds, desires, and attitudes? Is there a pattern of stages you go through? Explain.

 

• How can you continue to grow in your love for Christ so that it doesn’t become stale and stagnant? Share your thoughts with a friend and pray for one another.

 

• Reflect on the key principles above. Share them with a friend and prayerfully consider how each one can be put into practice. Ask for your friend’s prayer and encouragement to follow through with your plan.  

 
Conclusion
 
In this season of Advent, as we anticipate the celebration of Christ’s first coming and eagerly await his second, let our hearts be stirred with a renewed love for our Savior. His call to us to repent, though sometimes painful, is actually a tender grace, an invitation to return to his precious love that drew us to him in the first place. May the journey of repentance be embraced not as a burden but as a joyous pilgrimage back to the heart of our loving Father.

Day 11
The Holy Love of God
 
 
Opening Prayer
 
Dear Heavenly Father, as we enter your presence today through this devotional time, we open our hearts to receive the wisdom and truth found in your holy Word. May your Spirit guide our reflections and illuminate the path of understanding as we examine your sacred self-disclosure. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray. Amen.
 
Scripture Reading
 
Isaiah 6:1-11
 
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:
 
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
 
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
9 He said, “Go and tell this people:
“ ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
10 Make the heart of this people calloused;
make their ears dull
and close their eyes. k
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”
 
11 Then I said, “For how long, Lord?”
And he answered:
 
“Until the cities lie ruined
and without inhabitant,
until the houses are left deserted
and the fields ruined and ravaged,
12 until the Lord has sent everyone far away
and the land is utterly forsaken.
13 And though a tenth remains in the land,
it will again be laid waste.
But as the terebinth and oak
leave stumps when they are cut down,
so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.”
 
The Great Tradition
 
“The prophetic word gives the reason for the desolation by showing the cause of their fall, making the understanding of it clear. When they heard our Savior teaching among them but would not listen with the ear of the mind and did not understand who he was, seeing him with their eyes and not with the eyes of their spirit, “they hardened their heart, closed the eyes of their mind, and made their ears heavy.” As the prophecy says, their cities would become desolate such that no one would live in them because of this. In addition, their land would become desolate, and only a few would remain, being kept like fruitful seed who would proceed to all people and multiply on the earth.” (Eusebius of Caesarea)
 
Prayer of Confession
 
Heavenly Father, we come before you with humble hearts, acknowledging our sin and brokenness. Just as Isaiah recognized his unworthiness in the presence of your holiness, we too confess what we are able to grasp of how far short we have fallen of your glory. We seek your forgiveness and purification, trusting in the redemptive power of your love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
 
Reflection
 
God used the first seven verses of today’s Scripture to revolutionize my faith almost thirty years ago. I was teaching a study by R.C. Sproul called, The Holiness of God. It was a needed balance to my view of God which, in the tradition of many “mainliners” of my generation, understood God exclusively in terms of his attribute of love. When I say, “his attribute of love,” what I really mean is what we usually think God’s love ought to be like, in our humble opinions. For many of us who grew up in church, the unconditional love of God is almost synonymous with the unconditional niceness of God.
 
God used Sproul’s book and study on the holiness of God to awaken me. I discovered God is much larger than I imagined. Sure, I had read A.W. Tozer’s Knowledge of the Holy, but goodness, I was still in my 20s and barely understood most of what I read there. Sproul’s book put the cookie jar on the bottom shelf so I could get to it. To think of God as “holy, holy, holy” was something I didn’t comprehend. If asked, I may have used the word “holy” to describe God, but I would have been guessing at words out of my ignorance.
 
I came to understand that God’s holiness, like all of God’s attributes, is essential to who God is, and not some second tier, take it or leave it, attribute. His holiness signifies both his otherness and his moral purity. To stand before such a holy God, one cannot help but react the way Isaiah did. Who could look upon our holy God and not cry out that they are ruined, undone, disintegrated? Every sinful thought, word, deed, and desire that our lives have been built upon would overwhelm our hearts and minds were we to stand before such a God. The guilt would be more than we could possibly endure. Isaiah’s cry was recognition of his guilt and his repentance of it. Thus, in our Scripture, the angels took the searing tongs and applied them to the lips of Isaiah to symbolize his purification and atonement. His guilt was taken away and he was forgiven. Is there better news than that?
 
God used this scene from redemptive history to do several things in my life. First, he taught me about his holiness. For when a person comes to understand the true holiness of God’s nature, it shouldn’t be a big jump to understanding how unholy we fallen and sinful sons of Adam and daughters of Eve really are. Yet, Peter reminds us of God’s command from the Old Covenant to be holy as he is holy (1 Peter 1:16). Holiness is not optional. In fact, the Book of Hebrews reminds us that without this holiness, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
 
The second, and even more unexpected aspect of being introduced to God’s holiness in this very startling way was how God used it to show me what his love for me really means. I believe I was at a place in my life where I actually believed God’s love was my due. It was God’s job to love me. It was “entitlement thinking” on my part. But as God’s providence would have it, at the same time I was teaching a class on his holiness, I was also teaching a class on Paul’s Letter to the Romans. And there I started digging into what grace really means. I began to understand what every confirmation class is taught… that grace is the unearned, unmerited, undeserved favor, blessing, and power of God. God first loved me because it is God’s character to love, but not because God is required to love me. God’s holiness, from which his justice flows, calls for my sin to be punished.
 
My sin… our sin… is antithetical to the holiness of God and, as those created in his image, is displeasing to him and, to put it bluntly, tells lies about who he really is. Everything an image bearer does reflects on its Creator. It says something about the one who created it. When we sin, we’re saying something untrue about the One who made us. This is the human condition. This is why Isaiah cried out,
 
“Woe to me!”… “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”
 
It was not only that Isaiah was a fallen, sinful man, but so were his fellow Israelites. So are we all. That is part of the reason we cannot look upon the unveiled presence of God and live. He is too pure and holy. But Isaiah’s vision of the King was just that, a vision. Isaiah was a humble man; he therefore recognized this qualitative disparity. And so, he cried out. I too cried out when I recognized how good and gracious God’s love to me really was. How God had loved me my whole life. I couldn’t help but think of how undeserving I was. This was not a “worm theology” in which I saw myself as worthless. But this was like Isaiah’s revelation in which he understood himself to be unworthy to stand before the King. That is how I felt. Yet, that is exactly what made God’s love for me all the sweeter. That is what made it precious to me. That is what humbled me and melted my pride in a way that remains a vivid memory in my heart and mind to this very day.
 
After an experience like this, Isaiah couldn’t help but answer God’s call to serve him. That should be what each of us does in response to God’s holy love. When we have truly understood God’s holy love for each of us, we should tremble, rejoice, fall before him, and give our lives to him. That appears to be what Isaiah did. God asked for a servant to bring a hard word to Israel, and Isaiah stepped up. He answered the call. His calling would be to deliver a message of judgment.
 
There is no generation in which judgment is a welcomed guest. There is a reason we have the saying, “don’t shoot the messenger.” Isaiah wasn’t called to bring Israel his own assessment of how things were going and what was going to happen to them. Instead, he was bringing them God’s divine evaluation. And it wasn’t good. There would be judgment for Israel. This would not be a time of “superficial deliverance.” This would be what we sometimes refer to as “tough love.” All would be laid waste. Yet, “destruction is never God’s last word.” Hope would remain. A holy seed, a faithful remnant of God’s people would remain, from which the Messiah, and ultimately, deliverance and redemption, would come.
 
I think I often forget there was a time when God’s people awaited the first Advent of the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of the living God. His coming was prophesied as early as Genesis and would be the hope of God’s people in every generation after. God would continue to provide foreshadowing and prophecies of the coming Messiah throughout the Old Covenant. We would learn where, when, and to whom he would be born, the royal line to which he would belong, and why he was coming. Recently, a religious leader in a denomination said, “It is not important that we agree on who Christ is. …God became flesh, but not particular flesh. There’s no particularity around that. God became incarnate in a culture, but not one culture.”
 
But Israel’s Messiah, was just that… the Messiah of Israel. This anointed One, this Messiah, was of the seed of Eve, the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, of the line of King David, and remained the hope of Israel, a hope that existed only because God preserved a faithful remnant who did not bow to false gods and live in rebellion to him. This Messiah’s Old Covenant lineage is highlighted in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. And during this time of year especially, we learn that this Messiah would be born to a Jewish mother. The father who raised him and gave him his name was Jewish. And he would be named Jesus, because, the angel told his parents, he would save his people from their sin. The scandal of particularity matters a lot.
 
Yet, by God’s grace, the deliverance, redemption, and reconciliation he brought during his first advent did not remain for Israel only but became a sacrificial and loving offering for the whole world. Thanks be to God. God’s love is holy… and his holiness is loving. They are inseparable and intricately connected because they are who God is, along with all his other attributes. They aren’t merely what God does, but who God is. And we are created in his image. We too are called to be holy as God is holy. We are commanded to love God and neighbor because God first loved us. Our lives of holy love should reflect God’s character and goodness in our lives. It’s my prayer for our church that during this season of Advent, God’s light would shine through us so brightly, that when others see it, they can’t help but give our Father in heaven praise and glory.
 
Key Principles
 

• Holiness is Essential: God's holiness is not a secondary attribute but essential to his nature. Without our own holiness, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).

 

• Love Rooted in Holiness: God’s love is intimately connected to his holiness. Recognizing our unworthiness magnifies the depth of his love, which purifies and atones for our sins.

 

• Response to Holy Love: Understanding God’s holy love should lead to a transformative response—trembling, joy, humility, and a surrendered life in service to him.

 
Walking Points
 

• Reflect on your understanding of God’s holiness. How does it shape your understanding of his love?

 

• Consider a moment when you felt unworthy of God’s love. How did that realization deepen your appreciation for his grace?

 

• In what ways can you respond to God’s holy love during this Advent season? With some Christian friends, think of some opportunities for service and ways to proclaim his Word?

 

• Meditate on Hebrews 12:14. How does the pursuit of holiness align with the trajectory of your walk with Christ?

 
Conclusion
 
As we navigate the Advent season, let’s try to imagine the anticipation of the first Advent—the Messiah’s arrival, the hope of Israel. God’s love, embodied in Jesus, descended from a specific lineage, emphasizing the importance of particularity. This love, once preserved for Israel, now extends to the whole world through deliverance, redemption, and reconciliation found in Christ alone. May the holy love of God radiate through us during this Advent season, illuminating the path for others to praise and glorify our Heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16).

Day 10
God’s Providential Hope
 
 
Opening Prayer
 
Gracious Heavenly Father, as we delve into the sacred words of Scripture, open our hearts to the profound message of hope heralded by John the Baptist. Prepare us to receive your Son, Jesus Christ, not only in this season of Advent but also in the everyday moments of our lives. May the truths we explore today transform our perspectives and guide us in living faithfully between the advents. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
 
Scripture Reading
 
Mark 1:1-8
 
1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,
                        “Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way,
            3           the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’ ”
4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
 
The Great Tradition
 
The way of the Lord must be prepared within the heart; for great and spacious is the heart of man, as if it were a whole world. But see its greatness, not in bodily quantity, but in the power of the mind which enables it to encompass so great a knowledge of the truth. Prepare, therefore, in your hearts the way of the Lord, by a worthy manner of life. Keep straight the path of your life, so that the words of the Lord may enter in without hindrance. (Origen)
 
Prayer of Confession
 
Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have devised expectations that limit your work in our lives. We confess the moments when we chose convenience over your Kingdom values. Renew our hearts, O God, and align our expectations with your will and eternal purposes. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
 
Reflection
 
Four hundred long years had passed since Israel last heard from a prophet – from God himself. Four hundred years of silence. But now, there was one who spoke from the wilderness. His purpose? To declare the arrival of God’s promised one, the Messiah – the one who would rescue God’s people.
 
How warmly welcomed that good news must have been, especially since Israel was under Roman rule. To finally be delivered from that oppression must have been music to their ears. The prophet John’s calling was to prepare the way for this mighty Deliverer by announcing his arrival. It was Jesus himself, just a few verses later (Mark 1:15), who would declare that his new Kingdom was now at hand. But how would a person become a citizen of this Kingdom? By repenting and believing God’s good news. God’s gracious and providential hope was still available after so many years had passed. That was remarkable. God never forgot the promises he made to his people.
 
And yet the good news of God’s Kingdom was not welcomed as good news. God’s Deliverer was not embraced as such. We know from the life, ministry, and teaching of Jesus, that he and the Kingdom he ushered in were not what the people of his day had in mind. Jesus didn’t fit the expectations many had for the Messiah. He didn’t seem to say and do what the people had hoped he would say and do.
 
Still, he was God’s providential hope for his people. Their only hope. Israel needed to be rescued from something far greater than Rome. The Son of God, Jesus Christ, was willing and able to save his people once-and-for-all.  But not many of his people were willing to be saved on his terms. Their hopes and dreams took the shape of a temporal desire – to understandably be out from under the thumb of Roman rule. They allowed the good to become the enemy of the best.
 
What are your expectations of Jesus? Are your hopes temporal only? Or are your hopes filtered through an eternal perspective?
 
Advent is the liturgical time of year in which we more fully and formally remember that we live between the two appearances of our Lord, Jesus Christ. His first arrival, which we celebrate during the seasons of Advent and Christmas, ushered in God’s Kingdom – his rule and reign in our lives. Our focus during this time of year helps us better reflect upon who Jesus is and why he came. It also gives us space to think about how we ought to live in light of his return.
 
Just as we are called to live responsively to his first advent, we must also live expectantly toward his second. That is the time, as C.S. Lewis put it, “when the author walks on to the stage [and] the play is over.” Lewis adds,
 
“That will not be the time for choosing: it will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen, whether we realized it before or not.”
 
Are you prepared for the coming of Jesus? How can you better prepare for that Day? Looking at and learning from his first advent informs how we are called and commanded to live in preparation for his second one. More than that, it is only as we repent of our sin and believe his gospel – the good news of his Kingdom – that we can enter the fullness of life he offers.
 
Key Principles
 

• God’s Promises Endure: The promise of a Savior sustained Israel through centuries of silence. Just as God was faithful then, he remains faithful now. In this Advent season, reflect on the promises God has spoken over your life. Trust that, like the dawn after a long night, God’s promises will shine forth in his perfect and providential timing.

 

• The Unfamiliar Paths of God: Just as the people of Jesus’ time struggled with a Messiah who challenged their expectations, hopes and dreams, we may find ourselves wrestling with God’s plans for our lives. Prayerfully trust that God's ways are always right and for your best good.

 

• Living with Purposeful Expectancy: Our third principle invites us to live purposefully between the advents. As we celebrate Christ’s first coming, let’s also anticipate his glorious return. Our lives should reveal our readiness for that day, with actions that align with the eternal perspective and will.

 
Walking Points
 

• Set aside intentional time during this Advent season to reflect on your expectations of Jesus. Are they rooted in temporal desires or aligned with an eternal perspective? Consider how your understanding of God’s promises shapes your daily life. Acknowledge any areas where your hopes have strayed from God’s Kingdom values. Confess to God and seek his forgiveness. Embrace a posture of repentance that aligns your heart with the providential hope he offers in Christ.

 

• Spend time in daily meditation on Bible verses that emphasize the enduring nature of God’s promises. Allow these truths to shape your mindset and actions. Dedicate specific prayer time to entrust your temporal concerns to God and ask for a deepened understanding of his eternal purposes. Pray for the grace to live with purposeful expectancy, preparing for Christ’s return in every aspect of your life.

 

• Talk with some Christian friends and identify some practical ways to live out Kingdom values in your daily interactions. Show love, kindness, and compassion to those around you, reflecting the transformative power of Christ’s life. Intentionally bear witness to the reality of Christ’s first coming and your hope of his second. Share the gospel with others through both your words and actions, inviting them to join you in the anticipation of God’s Kingdom fully consummated.

 
Conclusion
 
During this Advent season let’s remember that our hope is not in the circumstances of the world but in the unchanging character of our God. May the joy of Christ’s first coming fill our hearts with thanksgiving and praise, and the hope of his second coming encourage us to live lives rooted and built up in the power of the gospel.