The days of Noah were ordinary days according to Matthew 24:36-44. I suppose like this week in the USA. Multitudes will be doing what comes ordinarily and routinely this month: Thanksgiving and all that which goes with genuine thankfulness. Prayer, not taking each other for granted, and seeing to it that others get to the turkey first! And close on the heels of Thanksgiving comes the rush of Christmas as a cultural event loaded with both heavenly and ordinary earthly meaning.
The bible texts here for the first Sunday in Advent won’t let us settle for the “ordinary.” These positive Thanksgiving and Christmas characteristics are fine and good, but God is always asking us to “watch, wait, and prepare, for Gods next Big Thing.” The preparation is often a mere matter of attending to the details of the present! Being aware! Keeping alert. Loving the neighbor in the moment. Going deeper than all the commercial aspects of the next four weeks leading to Christmas giving and receiving, Christmas stress and busyness. This will require some intentional time spent in prayer AND action….for oneself and one’s neighbor (who could be anyone you come into relationship with in the next four weeks!). A tall order! Almost like the formidable tasks of shopping, parties, travel, and food preparation!
But, unlike the folks of Noah’s time, you are both ordinary AND extraordinary. You ARE the church! You ARE the Body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22, 23) in the world. You are prepared for or, at least, “in preparation” for the Coming of The Lord!”
Happy expectant Advent Season!