Weekly Devotion
December 14, 2025

Advent and Preparing for Jesus

Layton Friesen of Steinbach Bible College presented a terrific sermon on the First Advent Sunday (Nov 30) from Matthew 24. He called it, “Do You Know What Time It Is?”

He talked about “clock time” and “High Time!” We know clock time well enough – “there are only “x” number of days until Christmas – have you purchased all your presents?”

“High time” is like a pregnant woman whose water breaks and she says, “It’s high time we got to the hospital.” High time is attached to something significant – big enough to change the direction of our lives.

Jesus’ first advent was a “high time” event. Galatians 4:4 says, “In the fullness of time (when it was high time), God sent his Son."

 Dr. Friesen referred to both the First and Second Comings of our Lord. The first happened 2000 years ago. The second? Well, we’re still hoping for that. Hope is always the First Advent Sunday theme so it fit well.

But how do we hope? I reflected on how hope works. Can actually do something, or is hope just a mental game?

James 5:7-12 clearly tells us we can do some things: exercise patience (vs 7-8); be united (9-11); live with integrity (12). Check out my sermon on that if you want a refresher.

These are real!! Things we can actually practice and work on. And they relate directly to the coming of our Lord. Jesus comes when we are patient and united with one another and have integrity in our daily life.

The important shift we need to make is to see the Second Coming not in “clock time” but in “high time” terms. This fall, some people thought Jesus would return in September. They mistakenly thought the Second Coming was a “clock time” thing.

If we look for Jesus’ presence in patience, love, and integrity – that’s “high time.” “Where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, there I am! In their midst! (Matthew 18:20).

This Advent let’s train ourselves to see the coming of our Lord in “high time” terms. Let’s be patient with each other and our circumstances – and work on unity – like the second coming depends on it; and speak truthfully with integrity like Jesus is right there already!

Written by
David Wiebe