December 2, 2025
Romans 13:11–14 reminds us that Advent light is not far off—it’s breaking in even now. Paul calls believers to wake up, for salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. This Advent awakening urges us to lay aside the deeds of darkness and clothe ourselves with Christ. It’s a call to live alert, faithful, and ready, not in fear of the night, but in hope of the dawn that is already beginning to rise.
Devotional:
Every morning carries a quiet moment when darkness gives way to light. You can’t always see it at first—the world still looks dim, the shadows still stretch long—but you can feel it. Something begins to stir. That’s the moment Paul describes in this passage. “The night is nearly over,” he writes, “the day is almost here.” Advent begins right there, in that holy in-between—when we’re still surrounded by shadows, yet already touched by dawn.
Paul’s words aren’t just poetry; they’re a wake-up call. “Wake up from your slumber,” he says, “because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Those words would have shaken the Roman church. Life under empire wasn’t peaceful or easy. It was tempting to get drowsy—to let hope fade or faith slip into routine. But Paul reminds them that time matters. God’s story is moving toward fulfillment, and His light is already pushing back the night.
We need that reminder, too. Advent isn’t a countdown to Christmas; it’s an awakening to Christ’s presence now. When Paul tells us to cast off the works of darkness, he’s not only talking about sin but about anything that numbs our spirit—resentment, despair, distraction. The light of Christ calls us to be fully awake, to live intentionally and reflect the goodness of the One who has come and is coming again.
To “put on the armor of light” is to make the conscious choice to walk as people of the day even while the world still sleeps. That means choosing grace over bitterness, integrity over convenience, love over indifference. Each act of faithfulness becomes a spark that declares, “The dawn is near.”
Advent hope doesn’t deny the darkness—it announces that it won’t last. The Savior we await has already brought light into the world, and that light still shines, calling us to rise and follow. So this week, don’t just look for the sunrise. Live like it’s already here.
Action:
Rise early one morning this week. Spend a few moments in prayer or quiet as the sun comes up, thanking God that His light is always near.
Prayer:
God of dawn and promise, awaken me to Your light today. Help me cast off anything that keeps me asleep to Your presence. Let Your Spirit clothe me in faith, love, and hope so that my life shines with the joy of Your coming. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Thought for the Day:
Advent light is already rising—wake up and walk as a child of the day.
Cheryl is on vacation so no sermon this week. This week, our hearts turn toward that first flicker of Advent hope. These devotionals invite us to slow down, breathe a little deeper, and remember that God still breaks into ordinary days with quiet mercy. The world may rush around us, but Advent asks us to look for the small signs of God’s nearness, the gentle ways He prepares our hearts before we ever notice. Each day this week points us back to the promise that Christ comes not only once in Bethlehem, but again and again into lives that feel worn, waiting, or ready for renewal. My prayer is that these readings draw you close to the One who comes with light in His hands and love that won’t let go.
