Advent Prep - Week One - Day Five – The Coming King

Day Five – The Coming King

New Testament: Matthew 24:42–44
Old Testament: Psalm 122 (v. 8 “Peace be within you”) 


Advent ends where it began — with vigilance. Watchfulness has become worship.

Historical Context
By the century’s end, many Christians were weary of waiting. Persecution persisted, generations passed, yet Christ had not returned.

Matthew’s retelling of Jesus’ words reminded them that delay was mercy, giving time for repentance and mission.

Worship anchored that patience.  Every gathering ended, “Until He comes.” The psalm for peace found new meaning — peace not from empire or quiet streets, but within hearts where God’s presence now dwelled.

The early Church learned that expectancy shapes endurance: when you know who is coming, you can live differently while you wait.

Modern Context
Modern waiting feels like wasted time. “Progress” demands constant motion. Yet God’s calendar is measured in formation, not deadlines.

Waiting is how love deepens, how trust grows, how character matures.

“Keep awake” therefore sounds less like a warning and more like wisdom. Stay awake enough to notice God’s slow miracles: reconciliation that took years, healing that came through endurance, faith reborn after silence.

Every Advent delays instant gratification to teach this truth — hope is not passive; it’s patient strength.

Waiting is where faith learns endurance and love learns depth.

Reflection

• What waiting season are you currently resisting rather than receiving?
• How can hope reshape your patience this Advent?

Prayer
Coming Lord,
train my heart in holy waiting.
When answers delay, root me deeper in trust.
Let anticipation refine, not exhaust me.
Until You return, make my hope steadfast and kind.
Amen.

Closing Reflection – Advent Begins in Movement

Advent opens not with Bethlehem’s cradle but with Jerusalem’s warning. Jesus and the psalmist both call us to move — to walk in light, to climb toward peace, to live awake.

While the world hurries toward the holidays, the Church lingers in holy attention.

We rehearse waiting not because God is slow, but because love is patient.
So we keep praying, building, forgiving, watching.

For the Kingdom is nearer than we imagine —
and the King is already on His way.