“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 the 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. 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 hour you do not expect."
- Matthew 24:36-44
Advent Day 1
November 27, 2022
Advent Reflection 2022
This jarring passage from Matthew is the gospel lection for the first Sunday of Advent 2022. These words call us to dispense with the warm and fuzzy notion that Advent is preparation for cultural Christmas celebrations. No bells, no toys, no plays, no angels, no shepherds, no wise men or women, no cute children, and no cuddly babies are to be found at the beginning of this season.
Something is about to happen. It will not be inaugurated by human effort. That which is about to break forth in the world will be by God’s effort alone. No one knows when it will begin. The angels are unaware of its origin. The Son is not privy to its commencement.
The flood caught Noah’s generation by surprise. And the coming of the Son of Man will not be forecast accurately by preachers or pundits. God will not announce the appearing of the Anointed One. Like a thief, stealth will be God’s stock-in-trade. The Holy One will not be ringing doorbells or pinging our handheld devices.
Therefore, let us get ready. Let us greet the Coming One with justice by fighting and praying for a world where there is room in every inn for every child and every mother. Let us greet the Coming One by showing radical hospitality to God’s emissaries among us, the dispossessed and the downtrodden. Let us greet the Coming One with prayer and worship that stir up the imago Dei in each of us such that we join God in the co-creation of a new theological and sociopolitical order.
Pastor William H. Lamar IV
Prayer: Heavenly Parent, scripture teaches that we shall be surprised by the Coming One. Incline us to surprise the Coming One by being about God’s business. Amen
Advent 2022
We invite you to join us during the Advent season as we reflect on the virtues of Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love; as we anticipate Christ's birth; and prepare our hearts to receive him.
Each day a new reflection with a scripture and prayer will be posted on the Metropolitan AME Church website and social media to encourage you as we prepare.
Read along with us each day or download the book to read and reflect along with us offline.