DAY 2 (1st Week of Advent)

​PREPARE TO LISTEN
Light a candle and pray: O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
Request for God's Presence: Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Be still and silent (for a few minutes).  Be aware of and then let go all distractions, both those from within (concerns about the day, etc) and those from without (uncontrollable noises).
READ Matthew 24:40-44
Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.  Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left.  Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.  But 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.  Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Too often these verses have been used as a warning that Jesus is coming to take his own and leave others behind.  The assumption then becomes that the ‘evil’ are left behind while the ‘saints’ are taken.  For now, let this assumption go and know what you see.
REFLECTIVE WORDS
Christ’s coming will be quick and surprising to many.  We’re not waiting for Jesus to miraculously pull us out of our ‘fields’ and ‘meal grinding’ (‘classrooms’ and ‘offices,’ whatever your daily business) and take us up to him.  We’re waiting for him to come to us in our daily chores and life.  We are to keep alert to all that comes in to ‘steal’ from our lives and faith.  We maintain readiness by attending to Jesus in his Word, in the circumstances of our present life and the world around us.
REFLECTIVE WONDERING
Jesus’ coming will be at “an unexpected hour.”  Being ready for him requires constant, daily practice.  Wonder and name what being ready for Jesus will like for you this day.
RESPOND TO JESUS IN PRAYER.
Lord, it’s so easy to sing, ‘Soon and very soon we’re going to see the King,’ but not so easy to wait for this marvelous day.  Keep my hope alive, my ears and eyes attentive, as I try practice today living my life in constant readiness for you in the little things of my day.
BE SILENT AND STILL (for as long as you want).  Simply be in the presence of Jesus, who loves you, regardless.