Episode 62 - Advent (Part 1)
Jake and Brett start on series on Advent and discuss how Advent is a call to wake up and return to Jesus. The season might seem soft but it’s actually a radical call to humility and surrender.
Guiding Scripture
“Therefore, keep awake — for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” (Mark 13:35-37)
Key Points
Both Advent and Lent are times of fasting and penance
In Advent we are called to stay awake in the waiting
The second coming becomes real for us at our death
The call to stay awake implies assumes a question, "Am I willing and open to being woken up?"
We’ve become a disenchanted culture
We are pressured by the woke culture, but are we awaking to what really matters?
The call to wake up in Christianity is a call to “metanoia” - to radical change in our hearts and minds
In life, we often run toward things but don’t reflect on their worth and goodness
Our modern culture and Christianity clash in their messaging around waiting
Advent shines a light into our heart and our world
Life is like a race that requires reflection on the finish line (the point of it all)
Advent calls us to be on pace with the Lord and be inclined to Him
Pace with Jesus in the true goal and destination
Embracing all that Advent offers could redeem this past year
The year 2020 revealed many things about of our heart and beliefs
The coming of Jesus as an infant and his growing up reveals the truth that our relationship with Him can and should mature
“though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8)
“The heart of Christianity is a myth which is also a fact.” (C.S. Lewis, Myth Became Fact)
God, coming as an infant, wishes to reveal a part of His heart, His humility
Holiness isn’t contrary to humanity; holiness means becoming fully human
“Human” is not a bad word
Discussion Questions
What struck you from this episode?
What are some Advent rituals you (family) do? What are some you could start with yourself and/or your family?
What are ways and areas you tend to “fall asleep” to what matters in life?
Are you ready for Jesus’ return?
Are you willing and open to being woken up?
What are you running towards? Is it good?
Who are you becoming?
Are you on pace with the Lord? How do you know?
What did the past year (2020) reveal about your heart? Beliefs? Relationship with God and others?
How does your heart respond to worshiping the infant Jesus?
How can you intentionally live this Advent?
Resources
