PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• Happy First Day of Advent! Jesus is coming! That’s what “advent” means—“coming.” It’s rooted in Latin and since the fourth century, the church has recognized this time as a chance for Christians to reflect on the coming celebration of Jesus’ birth.
But it’s not just about celebrating His arrival. He is coming again! Say it again, but louder for the people in the back—JESUS IS COMING AGAIN!!! Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3 ESV, emphasis mine).
We will spend the next four weeks celebrating Advent, but in truth, we should always have an advent-mindset in our hearts. It lines up with the “Parable of the Ten Virgins” found in Matthew 25:1-13. In verse 13, Jesus instructed, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (ESV). In other words—Wait for Him. Watch for Him. Jesus is coming again.
In Francis Chan’s book, “Crazy Love,” he talked about his grandmother-in-law who was so diligent about watching and waiting for Jesus, she was concerned about where He might find her when He returned.
I’ve thought about that a lot. It’s profound to me because I’ve wondered—“Is this where I want to be or what I want to be doing if Jesus comes back right now?” Talk about a way to keep yourself in check! And it’s created in me a sense of expectation. It’s made me rethink some things… Because when Jesus comes again, I really hope He finds me praying, or writing MGFL, or preparing a Sunday School class, singing praise music (albeit, badly) while I work on spreadsheets or PowerPoints, or talking to a friend about Jesus over coffee… I hope He finds me in some kind of act of worship.
And if I keep the expectation of a second advent in my heart all year, it becomes more probable that is how He will find me.
How do you want Him to find you? Will you be ready?
Today, as you pray, thank Jesus for coming to Bethlehem 2000 years ago. Thank Him that He’s coming again. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you keep a spirit of advent in your heart and to be expectant in the waiting for Christ’s second return.
