Immersed in Christ: November 29, 2020
First Sunday of Advent
Christianity is Expectation
Be alert! You do not know when… Mark 13:33
My friend Joey once described his life to me as “same old, same old.”
“It’s just like throwing old shoes into a box,” he said, “One thing after another. Nothing ever changes.”
We can’t say that about Christianity. If we experience religion as just rules, rituals, and recitations of the same old doctrines, Advent is a time to wake up.
Our religion is ongoing interaction with God. “Be alert!” We “do not know when” God is going to show us something new, ask something new of us, or give us new insight into what he has said. Our God is a living God. We are always waiting for God’s next move.
“Advent” means “Coming,” or “Arrival.” It is a time to live in conscious expectancy. It reminds us to live our whole lives consciously dealing with the living God. If we ever think we “know our religion,” we don’t understand what it is.
Jesus says, “See, I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5).
DAILY PRACTICE: Expect God to show you something new every day. Look for it. At night, ask what it might have been.
ADVENT PRAYER: Pray all day: “Lord, make me turn to you; let me see your face.Show me what you are doing, what you are offering, what you are asking.”