FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2010
Matthew 24:37-44 For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But 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. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
“So, what did you do today?” was the inevitable question my friend would ask when our little group of friends would gather for supper together and an evening of canasta. I know he was truly interested in what each of us had done that day was trying to make conversation. I would answer, “I worked on my sermon for Sunday. I made so many hospital calls. I prepared for tomorrow’s confirmation classes.” And others would recount a day full of activity and accomplishments.
I wonder what he and the others would have thought if I had said, “I sat at my desk, read scripture, meditated and prayed. Then I took a walk in the woods and marveled at God’s wonderful creation.” In our busy, activity filled, goal oriented world, unless you have something to show for your time, it is time wasted.
So it was in days of Noah. People were so busy eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, doing the things that had to be done, that they failed to take the time to look up and see the storm clouds gathering on the horizon. Advent is a special time of the year when we are reminded to stop and look up and look outward, to take the time to be quiet and hear God’s call, to take the time to open our eyes and see God at work in our lives. SO, WHAT have you done today?
Stir up your power, O Lord, and come. Quiet and calm us so that we might hear your still small voice and see you when you come. AMEN
I'm reading a few hours ahead, I guess. Thanks so much for including me and inviting me. What a wonderful idea -- for your own Advent observance and to assist others. I did not have a set of devotionals selected yet; these will be mine.
ReplyDeleteIt will be good to be challenged once again by your famous "So What?" questions!!
Peace--
Heidi
When Jesus speaks of the original world-wide flood and of his second coming, it sounds like words of warning. There is a very real threat to those that are not prepared for the power of God.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I also look at this message as an invitation to celebrate. Those who anxiously await God's presence, not only during advent, but every day until the second coming, can expect a flood of glory and love.
You are right to say the world looks for tangible accomplishments as signs of success. Over Christmas vacation, my wife and I will finish remodeling the bathroom, an advent of its own for us. But in the true advent season, I'm excited by the intangible signs of success, like the family who will help us in our work, the meals and fellowship we'll share afterward, and the closeness we will have in the shared adventure. These intangibles are more exciting for me than the finished product.
May we all be as excited by Christ's advent and the intangible joys it brings as we are by Christmas Day.
Thank you, Evan, for prompting these reflections.
SO WHAT HAVE I DONE TODAY? I'VE LISTENED AND RESPONDED TO YESHUA'S CALL THAT I AM TO BE HERE WITH YOU TODAY, EVAN---AND ALL WHO ARE INVITED. I HAVE BEEN AWARE OF YESHUA'S ARRIVAL FOR MORE THAN A DECADE NOW---MULTIPLE TIMES, MANY WAYS, 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK. +yahudith
ReplyDeleteWhat have I done today? I went to church with my family and found myself thinking about all the 'things' we had to do today. We have the hanging of the greens, Joe's play practice, Andrew's flying lesson, time to visit Grandma and deer hunting to prepare for.
ReplyDeleteI found myself planning our strategy during the prelude. Luckily, God has blessed my children with two parents and Dan and I are able to share/split up for all the boys' activities.
But, when the minister read from Matthew 24 during the service, I HEARD what I was supposed to hear and stopped stressing about all the 'things' we had to do. It was wonderful! Our trees are already up in the nave and they look beautiful. I looked around and embraced the beauty of the season.
I sent myself a reminder text for every day this week that says "Matthew 24". When I get these messages, I will stop and 'be in the moment'. The messages should arrive a different times each day and I hope and pray that I am able to take advantage of the message.
I spent my day doing mostly menial tasks...things that need to be done. But I enjoyed them and felt fulfilled by my accomplishments. Do all things in God's Glory, right?
ReplyDeleteYet, I know my Christmas spirit is lacking and was so happy to see your invitation to participate in your devotionals. I don't want gifts for Christmas and don't want to feel like I HAVE to buy for others. It's not that I don't want to show my love for them, but it just doesn't feel "real" to me anymore. I am hoping this will help me rediscover the real meaning of Christmas and the joy that should come with it. Thank you for sharing.
I got up, went to work, had several meetings, read and sent many email, worked on some computer issues. Then I came home, went for a run, ate supper, and got back on the computer.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. There's much more to it than the everyday task oriented things that we do. We need to take time to be with others, share their experiences, and do what is truly right.