Advent I - Sunday, November 30, 2025

 

Daily Office Is 2:1-5 Ps 122 Rom 13:11-14 Mt 24:36-44

Romans 13:11-14

Advent is a season of anticipation and expectation, with the focus being the celebration of the arrival of the infant Jesus. When babies are expected in our modern world, new parents often turn to the book, “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” to help them feel prepared. This book is commonly referred to as “the pregnancy Bible,”  with chapter titles that include “Nine Months and Counting,” “Your Pregnancy Lifestyle,” and “How To Manage Complications.”

 

We have our own Bible, filled with wisdom for all seasons of life, including Advent. There is so much more to the Advent season than “24 Days and Counting.” The readings for today have a lot to offer in terms of what we can expect, how to prepare, what kind of lifestyle to strive for, and how to handle those pesky “complications” we call sin. They also point us beyond the arrival of the infant Jesus, into an unknown future when he will return. The Gospel of Matthew is clear that about that day or hour no one knows. 

So what should “Your Advent Lifestyle" look like, given that we are preparing for the joy of Christmas, while also remembering that the return of Jesus will come at a time and in a way that is uncertain? Today’s verses from Romans 13 instruct that we are to "put aside the deeds of darkness, and put on the armour of light…. clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh." 

 

The armour of light is such an amazing image to carry into Advent. At the darkest time of the year, we are preparing for the light of the world. Armour is made to shield us, but light draws attention and eliminates darkness. Dressed in armour of light, we can move around our world, protected from the complications and temptations it throws at us, while shining light into it. 

Maybe this chapter of Christian life should be called, “What to Expect When Preparing for the Unexpected.” Advent will lead us into Christmas, that much we know. The rest, we must wait for. We must accept that God’s timing will be perfect, as He has always shown it to be. What we know for certain is that what is to come will be more wonderful than what is past in ways we can’t possibly imagine. Savour the wait, prepare for the expected but unknown, and remember that the light has already come to lead the way.

Ceri Penner 

 

Hark a Thrilling Voice is Singing Edward Caswall trans.