Here we are at the first Sunday of Advent. It’s my favorite liturgical season, and I’m sure it is for many of you, too.
The word “Advent” comes from a Latin word meaning “coming” or “arrival.”
During Advent, we’re preparing ourselves with great joy and expectation for the coming or arrival of the Christ Light.
That’s why we’re putting our focus on the Star of Wonder up there, and what’s why we’re lighting candles on our Advent wreath each Sunday, because we’re getting ready for the coming of the Christ Light.
And, that’s what Jesus is talking to the disciples about in today’s gospel reading for the first Sunday of Advent.
I know we all want to hear stories about the birth of the Baby Jesus this Season, but the Church is having us focus on the adult Jesus today.
And, why? Because we’re not preparing for the birth of the baby. The baby was already born 2,000 years ago.
So, whose “arrival” are we preparing ourselves for?
Well, let’s look at today’s gospel reading together.
Jesus isn’t a baby here. He’s in his thirties, and he’s telling the apostles to prepare themselves for the coming of the Son of Man.
He says, “The Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour, so get ready. Be prepared.”
Now, if Jesus was talking about himself here, that would be pretty confusing, right?
I mean, how can he be telling his disciples to prepare themselves for his coming if he was already there talking to them? That just wouldn’t make sense.
Jesus isn’t referring to himself here. “Son of Man” is referring to the Light of Christ.
Jesus is telling the disciples to prepare themselves for the coming of the Christ Light in them.
Just as Jesus had awakened to the Light and become one with it, he’s instructing the disciples to “await the awakening” within themselves.
That’s why he says in today’s gospel reading: “Keep awake!” Don’t fall asleep. The Light is on its way.
That’s what the Season of Advent is all about. It’s not just preparing a birthday party for the Baby Jesus each year. It’s preparing ourselves for the Christ Light to be born in us.
That’s why this time of year, we sing, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” for Emmanuel means “God within US.”
And, that’s why we say (this time of year), that “Christ IS born.” Not, Jesus WAS born. It’s present tense!
Now, notice, in today’s reading, Jesus also warns the disciples that there will be “birth pangs.” That this birth (this awakening, this transformation) in us may be painful.
Our “Words of Integration & Guidance” this morning come from John Pavlovitz’s book, “Low: A True Advent Devotional,” which our Bible Study group read last year.
In the book, he talks about turbulence. All of will experience turbulence in our lives. There will be pain in our lives, storms in our lives. None of us can avoid them.
But, he also reminds us of that God hasn’t given us a Spirit of Fear, but a Spirit of Hope.
And, that’s why, I think, the Church has us focus on “Hope” for the 1st Sunday of Advent, because hope is being able to see that in spite of the darkness, Light is always on its way.”
Here are three follow-up reflection questions you can use based on the sermon:
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Where in your life do you sense the “Christ Light” seeking to be born or awakened within you this Advent season, and what might it look like to “keep awake” to that presence?
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What forms of “turbulence” or “birth pangs” are you experiencing right now, and how might these moments actually be part of a spiritual transformation rather than signs of failure or fear?
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In what concrete ways can you practice hope in the coming weeks—choosing to trust that Light is on its way even when circumstances feel dark or uncertain?