As we enter the season of Advent, many of us get excited about Christmas trees, carols, and celebrating the birth of baby Jesus. But Advent isn’t just about looking forward to Christmas morning – it’s about recognizing that God has already come, and we need to wake up to that reality.
What Does Advent Really Mean?
Advent means “coming,” and while we often think of it as preparing for Jesus’s birth, it’s actually about understanding that God has already revealed Himself to the world. The prophet Isaiah spoke of a coming hope, while the apostle Paul reminded believers that this hope had already arrived.
In Isaiah 2:2-5, we see the promise of God’s mountain being established, where nations would flow to learn His ways. This wasn’t just a pretty picture of the future – it was God’s assurance of what He would accomplish through the coming Messiah.
Are We Spiritually Sleepwalking?
Paul’s words in Romans 13:11-14 carry a urgent wake-up call: “Now it is high time to awake out of sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” This raises an uncomfortable question for modern believers – have we fallen asleep in our faith?
Just like someone can sleepwalk through physical motions without being truly conscious, we can sleepwalk through our spiritual lives. We might attend church, say prayers, and go through religious motions while remaining spiritually unconscious to God’s active presence in our lives.
Signs of Spiritual Sleep
How do we know if we’re spiritually asleep? Consider these questions:
Do we expect to encounter God in miraculous ways, or just go through religious motions?
Are we excited about being in God’s presence, or do we hope the service doesn’t run long?
Do we live as if we truly know the hope of the world, or are we still waiting for something to happen?
The Difference Between Sleeping and Pretending to Sleep
There’s an old Navajo proverb that says, “You cannot wake someone who is only pretending to be asleep.” Some believers aren’t just spiritually drowsy – they’re willfully choosing not to listen to God’s voice.
We might know what God’s word says about certain behaviors or attitudes, but we’re not ready to give up things we enjoy. We pretend to be asleep because waking up would require change, sacrifice, or acknowledging areas where we’ve been living in darkness.
What Does It Mean to Cast Off Darkness?
Paul instructs believers to “cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” This isn’t about future preparation – it’s about present transformation. We’re called to live as people who have already met the Savior, not as those still waiting for Him to arrive.
The darkness Paul mentions includes:
Condemning attitudes toward others
Ungracious treatment of people
Pride that makes us think we’re above others
Any behavior that contradicts Christ’s example of service
Living as People of Light
When we truly wake up to Christ’s presence, we stop going through religious motions and start living with purpose. We become excited about encountering God, eager to serve others, and passionate about bringing hope to a world desperately in need.
This transformation isn’t about perfection – it’s about awareness. It’s about recognizing that the hope Isaiah prophesied has already come, and we get to participate in sharing that hope with others.
Hope for a Dark World
Our world is filled with darkness – violence, hatred, despair. But as believers who have encountered the light of Christ, we’re called to reflect that light into the darkness. We don’t have to wait for some future event; we can be agents of hope right now.
Whether it’s checking on neighbors, writing encouraging notes, or simply treating others with Christ-like grace, we have countless opportunities to demonstrate that hope has already come to the world.
Life Application
This week, identify one specific area where you’ve been spiritually sleepwalking – going through motions without truly engaging with God’s presence and purpose for your life. Commit to waking up in that area and actively seeking ways to bring Christ’s hope to others.
Ask yourself these questions:
Where in my life am I just going through religious motions instead of truly engaging with God?
What “works of darkness” do I need to cast off – attitudes, behaviors, or priorities that don’t reflect Christ’s light?
How can I practically demonstrate to others that hope has already come to the world through Jesus?
Am I living with the excitement and purpose of someone who has truly encountered the Savior, or am I still waiting for something to happen?
Remember, Advent isn’t about waiting for God to show up – it’s about recognizing that He already has, and living like we believe it.