By Karen Johnson Kretschmann
Revised Common Lectionary reflection for the First Sunday of Advent, Year A
November 30, 2025
Key verse: Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us walk decently as in the day.
-Romans 13:11-13 (NRSV)
In these current times, often I find I’m exhausted while challenging myself to wake up and get to work. Tired of seeking ways to feed my neighbors, to accompany our friends on the margins, to call my representative and advocate for fair housing, healthcare, and food assistance – and the list goes on. However, it seems the more I push, the less I feel able to do. I wonder, if we wish to be vigilant and engaged, maybe we need to steward our energy, and remember to rest so we can be fully watchful.
The readings for this first Sunday of Advent seem to call us to action, to watchfulness, to remember that Jesus will come again at a time unknown, and we need to be ready and alert. Not just awake, but strong enough to greet the thief, to offer security, to break the weapons, to cling to our partners, and to wear “the armor of light.” That means we need to rest and steward our energy in faithful and hopeful ways.
Earlier in his letter to the Roman Christians, Paul reminds them give their life to God. In The Message Bible, Eugene Peterson renders Romans 12:1 as, “Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do.” Romans 12:11 has relevance to this week’s Epistle reading: “Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants … cheerfully expectant” (The Message).
So, when we read, “You know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep” (Romans 13:11 NRSV), might it mean we are to sleep so that we have the energy to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 14)? Again, The Message, helps to unpack v. 11: “But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-to-day obligations that you loose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God.”
The theme of “keep awake” in Romans and Matthew requires us to rest. Rest from our day-to-day distractions, from society’s pull to draw us into darkness and discord, from the desire to grab and hold on to more than we need, and from the desire to do and be everything for everyone. God’s urgency requires us to steward our energy to be the light of Christ. As this week’s Psalm suggests, “Peace be within your walls and security within your towers…Peace be within you” (Psalm 122:7, 9 NRSV).
Consider then that stewarding our energy by making sure to rest, renew, and restore will ensure that the relentless love and grace of God through his son, Jesus Christ, is lived out by each of us.
In Worship
As this is the first Sunday of Advent, reflect on the importance of how rest can help us stay focused on keeping Christ at the center of our lives during these busy weeks. Consider using the translation of Romans 13:11 from The Message as the reading, in the prayers, or in your sermon: “But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-to-day obligations that you loose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God.”
The following hymns include themes of rest: ”O Day of Rest and Gladness” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, #521) or “In the Peace of God Find Rest” (ELW/All Creation Sings #1029).
Consider doing a short meditation during worship. Ask everyone to sit back, close their eyes and breathe deeply and slowly. Ask them to clear their minds as best they can, feel the weight of the day-to-day obligations lifting. Invite them to begin to feel a sense of rest. Share this prayer: “We pray for rest and renewal. Help us to seek times of peace and restoration. Let us find rest for our bodies, minds, and spirits. Let our rest enfold us in your loving embrace. Amen.”
Worship with youth:
In these times of kids having more and more activities to balance in their days, it might be beneficial to offer a time for youth to explore what is means to really rest; what is the difference between sleep and rest? Ask: “When have you felt truly rested?” “What difference does it make to be rested versus tired when you need to make important decisions?” Again, using the translation from The Message, read Romans 13:11. Ask them to put this verse into their own words and experience, and allow a few to share with the group, as they are willing (be ready to share your own too). Finally, have the youth share what stops them from getting rest. End in prayer that mentions the burdens they have shared.
Worship with children:
Bring in a pillow, soft blanket, stuffed animal, and any other item you might have in your home that allows you or your kids to get to sleep. Ask: “What helps you to go to sleep?” Let the kiddos share. If not mentioned, ask if anyone has a favorite bedtime song. Then talk about how a good nap or night of sleep allows our bodies and minds to rest so that we can grow, think better, and help us make good decisions. Remind them that this is the beginning of Advent, when we look forward to Jesus’ birth. Share with them that there is a lullaby that we like to sing to help Jesus sleep, “Away in the Manager” then either sing it or play it, especially focusing on verses 1,2, and 5. Then end in prayer, including “Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay, Close by me forever, And love me I pray.”
Previous reflections for Advent 1A:
2022 – Preparing for Advent’s ‘holy disruptions’
2019 – This present time
2016 – Ready or not: Here comes Jesus
2013 – Expecting the unexpected
2010 – Stewards of Advent: Wake, watch and wait!
Leave a Reply