Day 1 First Week of Advent (Begins Sunday November 27, 2016)

​PREPARE TO LISTEN (in a quiet and least distracting place)
Light a candle and pray: O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!  (Isaiah 2:5)
Request for God's Presence: Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.  (Psalm 80:3)

READ Matthew 24:36-39 (Jesus is speaking) But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.  For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man.
MEDITATIVE WORDS
Noah’s generation responded to his dire warnings of imminent judgment (a catastrophic flood) with an apathetic, ‘Whatever.’  They refused to believe anything bad would ever happen to them.  It’s easy for us today to respond with our own silent, ‘Whatever,’ whenever we are reminded of Jesus’ imminent return.  Jesus’ words in Matthew remind us that Jesus’ Advent will also be a time of judgment and that we are to get ready.  First, by not being like Noah’s generation that ‘knew nothing until the flood came.’  Second, by staying alert and ready for Jesus’ coming, not only in the future, but also in the various happenings of our life today.
REFLECTIVE WONDERING
In what ways do you live so that you can be alert to seeing and experiencing Jesus’ coming into your life today?
RESPOND TO JESUS IN PRAYER. 
​Lord Jesus, I confess that I too tend to respond with an apathetic, ‘whatever’ to preparation for your advent.  This Advent Season, help me prepare to celebrate your birth with joyous anticipation of your coming again to restore all creation, including myself.  Accept my prayer offered in your name, Amen.
BE SILENT AND STILL (for as long as you want).  Simply be in the presence of Jesus, who loves you, regardless.