Sunday 3 December 2023

Today is Sunday 3 December, the First Sunday of Advent.


Welcome to the Season of Advent.

We have entered into a time of waiting, longing, hoping. Take a moment to pause and recognise this new season… what does it mean for you?

Come Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee
Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart
Born Thy people to deliver
Born a child and yet a King
Born to reign in us forever
Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By Thine all sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne




Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Mark.

Mark 13: 33-37

Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 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.’

You might like to imagine the scene in today’s passage… what would it be like to be a member of this household, waiting for the man to return home? How would you be waiting? At work? At rest? Sleeping?

And what about the man? Do you trust him to return? Do you trust him at all?

The need to “keep awake” and to “keep alert” is repeated so many times in this short passage. As it is read again, notice your reaction to this instruction. How is it sitting with you?

As you prepare to set off on your Advent journey, can you think of small ways in your life that you can “keep awake” as you wait for the Lord? You might like to talk to God about this, asking for help and guidance too.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.


O Wisdom,
Lord and Ruler,
Root of Jesse,
Key of David,
Rising Sun,
King of the Nations,
Emmanuel.
Come, Lord Jesus.