Watch, Stay Awake, and Wait!
First Day of Advent. Sunday, November 28, 2025
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matthew 24:36-44
Dear friends,
Advent begins not with gentle lullabies but with a sharp call to alertness: “Stay awake!” Many houses in first-century Israel, especially those of modest means, were built from sun-dried mud bricks, rough-hewn stones, or simple clay and rock mixtures. These building methods left homes relatively vulnerable, as walls could be broken or dug through by determined thieves (e.g., Matthew 6:19-20, the Greek word here for “break in” literally means “dig through”). The homeowner’s primary defense was vigilance during the night. Jesus reminds us that His return will be sudden, catching many off guard who are distracted by everyday concerns.
The hope we ignite today—the hope of the coming Messiah—is not a passive dream but an active, urgent watchfulness. We are called to examine our lives and focus on the eternal rather than the temporary, ensuring we are prepared to meet Him whenever and however He appears.
To truly “watch” means living out our faith without delay, embodying the virtues of Jesus, and loving right now. If the master of the house were to come at any moment, would he find us productive, resting, or neglecting our duties? The great hymn “Sleepers, Wake!” is a majestic call to rise from spiritual slumber and take up the light of faith.
Sleepers, wake! A voice is calling,
It is the watchman on the walls:
Thou City of Jerusalem!
For lo! the Bridegroom comes!
Arise, and take your lamps!
Hallelujah!
Awake! His kingdom is at hand!
Go forth, go forth to meet your Lord!
Going Further
Truly “watching” means to embody the virtues of Jesus ( listed below*). What is one specific, practical virtue you will take this week to “live out your faith without delay? ” Let this first day of Advent stir a deep, active hope in your heart, urging you to live today as if Christ were coming tomorrow.
Watching and waiting,
Sing or meditate on the words of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
First Sunday of Advent Scripture Readings:
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:36-44
* The virtues of Jesus Christ:
Love - Self-giving, sacrificial ways that seeks the highest good of others. It is the greatest virtue and the foundation of all others.Washing the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17); dying on the cross for humanity (John 15:13).
Humility / Meekness - A profound awareness of self in relationship to God, expressed by self-control and a gentle, teachable spirit, placing the needs of others before one’s own.”Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart“ (Matthew 11:29); refusing to call down legions of angels for rescue (Matthew 26:53).
Compassion - Deep, heartfelt sympathy for the suffering and distress of others, often resulting in action to alleviate that suffering.Healing the sick, feeding the multitudes, and weeping over Jerusalem (Matthew 9:36, Luke 19:41).
Obedience / Faithfulness - Complete trust in and submission to the Father’s will, even when it led to hardship and death.Praying in Gethsemane, “Yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
Patience / Perseverance - Endurance, especially under difficult circumstances, provocation, or suffering, without retaliating or giving up hope.Enduring the insults, mockery, and unjust suffering during His trials and crucifixion (1 Peter 2:23).
Truthfulness / Integrity - A flawless moral excellence and purity; speaking and living in complete accordance with God’s reality. Speaking with unvarnished authority, calling out hypocrisy, and being “without sin” (John 8:46).
Generosity - The disposition to give freely and willingly, both materially and spiritually, without expecting anything in return. Giving away His time, His teachings, and ultimately, His life (Mark 6:35-44).