The King Return, Hanging of the Greens 11.30.2025

Devotional

Day 1: Keep awake; live ready for Christ's return.

Jesus warns that no one knows the day or the hour, so staying alert is not about living in fear but about living in faith—watchful faith notices the inbreaking of God's kingdom in ordinary acts of compassion, trusts that morning will come, and shapes daily choices so that whenever the Lord arrives, life shows the reign of love, mercy, and grace. [29:49]

Matthew 24:36-44 (NIV)
36 "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;
39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.
41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.
44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

Reflection: Choose one ordinary routine this week (making coffee, commuting, preparing a meal) and turn it into a deliberate moment of watchful faith: pause, pray one short sentence asking God to open your eyes to one sign of God's kingdom today, then write down what you noticed before bed.

Day 2: God transforms weapons into tools of peace.

The vision of the Lord’s mountain lifted high paints a future where nations stream to learn God's ways and weapons become tools for growth; this hope calls people to begin embodying peace now by turning destructive habits, words, or systems into practices that nurture life and neighborly flourishing. [15:36]

Isaiah 2:1-5 (NIV)
1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
2 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
5 Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Reflection: Identify one place of conflict or a recurring harsh word in your life; name a single practical act you can do this week to convert that “sword” into a “plowshare” (for example: apologize, offer a meal, volunteer, mediate), and schedule when you will do it.

Day 3: Emmanuel — God's presence brings hope for all.

The light we receive at Christmas points to a deeper truth: in the birth of the child called Emmanuel, God is with us; this presence is the true source of Advent hope that outshines every candle or star and grounds courage to offer love, mercy, and peace in the world today. [32:39]

Matthew 1:23 (NIV)
23 "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."

Reflection: Choose a simple, tangible way to remind yourself this week that God is with you (light a candle each evening, place a note that says “Emmanuel” by your mirror, or speak “God with us” before meals); do it for three consecutive days and journal any change in your sense of hope.

Day 4: Pray "Thy kingdom come" and live it today.

Praying the Lord’s Prayer is more than words; it is a summons to practice the kingdom now—asking for daily bread moves hearts toward generosity, asking forgiveness calls for reconciling action, and seeking God's will invites concrete obedience that bears witness to the reign of grace in everyday life. [01:12:52]

Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'"

Reflection: Pick one petition from today’s Lord’s Prayer (for example, “give us today our daily bread” or “forgive us our debts”) and take one concrete action before tomorrow evening to live that petition (share a meal, give to a neighbor, make a phone call to reconcile), then reflect on the result.

Day 5: Active waiting — prepare hearts and worship spaces.

Hanging the greens, lighting candles, and adorning the space are acts of watchful faith—these outward preparations are outward signs that the people are awake, believing Christ is near; letting evergreens remind of eternal hope and candles remind of peace helps the community practice active waiting that looks like loving service. [30:49]

1 Thessalonians 5:6 (NIV)
6 "So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober."

Reflection: Find one small corner of your home or workplace to set up today as a visible sign of hopeful waiting (an evergreen sprig, a candle, or a nativity), commit to one short daily practice at that spot (a breath prayer, a moment of gratitude, an act of generosity), and carry out that practice each day this week.

Sermon Summary

Advent begins in the dark—not the despairing kind, but the holy darkness of expectation where God readies our eyes for light. Isaiah gives us a picture we can hold: nations streaming to God’s mountain, swords hammered into plowshares, arguments finally settled, and people learning peace. I watched our children wrestle with the idea that such peace might even feel strange at first, and I held up a flickering flashlight to remind us that hope is like a light: not blinding, but enough to help us take the next step. Our hope is not in the batteries, not in our strength or schemes, but in God who draws all people together.

Jesus echoes that hope with a sober kindness: stay awake. His words in Matthew 24 sound like a warning until we remember who is speaking. This isn’t a thief to fear; it is a faithful Lord who surprises us with mercy. His kingdom doesn’t arrive as a political coup or a show of force. It comes through a cross, an empty tomb, and a Spirit who wakens love in ordinary lives. John Wesley said the kingdom begins in the heart; when love of God and neighbor takes root, we are already standing on holy ground.

So our “hanging of the greens” is not mere décor; it is a confession of faith. Garlands and candles say aloud what our lives must also say: Christ is near, love is stronger than hate, and peace is God’s stubborn promise. Evergreens whisper that hope does not fade. Candles insist that light is real even when the night lingers. We do not know the day or the hour, and we don’t need to. If we are practicing the way of Jesus—mercy, truth, courage, forgiveness—we will be ready whenever he comes. The brightness we await at Christmas is not a star or a spotlight; it is the radiant life of a child. Emmanuel—God with us—arrives small and vulnerable, and yet he is the hope of the world.

Key Takeaways

1. Hope learns to see in darkness. Hope doesn’t erase night; it teaches us to navigate it with trust. Advent forms us to look for God’s quiet work when we can’t yet see the ending. Like a humble flashlight, grace gives just enough light for the next faithful step. We follow that light until dawn breaks. [18:13]
2. Christ’s kingdom subverts power with love. Jesus refuses the tools of domination and builds a reign shaped by mercy, justice, and peace. This kingdom does not wait for perfect conditions; it takes root in willing hearts. Where love for God and neighbor matures, his rule is already present. That is where real authority lives. [27:48]
3. Stay awake with alert, trusting hearts. “Keep awake” is not an invitation to anxiety but to attentiveness. We watch for God’s interruptions in the ordinary rhythms of work, family, and community. Readiness looks like daily faithfulness more than dramatic gestures. Trust keeps us alert without making us afraid. [26:20]
4. Turn weapons into tools for growth. God’s future transforms harm into help—swords into plowshares, fear into fruitful labor. That vision calls us now to retool our habits: less defensiveness, more cultivation of good. Wherever we replace suspicion with service, the world becomes more tillable for grace. Hope learns to build, not to bruise. [14:11]
5. Prepare space and self for the King. Adorning the sanctuary trains our souls to welcome Christ in our streets and schedules. The greens, candles, and prayers are a rehearsal for lives that bear light in dark places. We prepare by practicing mercy and courage in the small things. Then whenever he comes, he will find us ready. [30:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[11:18] - Old Testament: Isaiah 2:1-5
[12:35] - Children’s moment: hoping big
[14:11] - Vision of peace on God’s mountain
[17:07] - Flashlight lesson: hope as light
[18:54] - Prayer and lighting Advent hope
[24:14] - Gospel: Matthew 24:36-44
[26:20] - Keep awake and stay ready
[27:48] - A kingdom of love, not force
[29:49] - Hanging of the Greens: watchful faith
[30:49] - Preparing the space and our hearts
[32:39] - Hope in a child: Emmanuel
[34:57] - Carols and Christmon tree blessing
[72:52] - Lord’s Prayer, invitation, benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Isaiah 2:1-5 — This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD. Matthew 24:36-44 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

Observation Questions

In Isaiah 2:2-4, what three concrete changes does the vision promise for nations and their behavior? How do those changes point to the type of “rule” God brings?
Read Isaiah 2:5 and ask: what does “let us walk in the light of the LORD” demand from the people of Jacob now—what actions or attitudes does that phrase imply?
In Matthew 24:36-44, Jesus compares his coming to the days of Noah. What everyday activities are named in the passage, and why might those particular details matter for understanding Jesus’ warning?
The preacher used a flashlight to teach about hope as light that helps us take the next step. What did that object lesson emphasize about where our hope should be placed? [17:07]

Interpretation Questions

How does Isaiah’s image of beating swords into plowshares reframe common expectations about power and security? What does this suggest about God’s priorities for justice and peace?
When the sermon says Christ’s kingdom “is not a political takeover but comes from a cross and an empty tomb,” what implications does that have for how Christians should pursue change in their communities? [27:48]
Why does Matthew’s warning to “keep watch” read as encouragement rather than threat in the preacher’s explanation? What tone or motive does the sermon attribute to Jesus’ command to stay awake? [26:20]
The sermon links Advent practices (greens, candles) to spiritual formation. How might physical symbols train attention and habit in ways words alone cannot?

Application Questions

Isaiah calls people to “walk in the light of the LORD.” Identify one habit (prayer, service, a weekly Sabbath practice, a reconciliation conversation, etc.) you can start this Advent that would be a tangible way to “walk in the light.” When will you begin?
The sermon urged turning weapons into tools for growth—less defensiveness, more cultivation. Name one recurring defensive response you have (online, at work, in family). What is one concrete replacement behavior you can practice the next time that situation arises? (Be specific about words or actions.)
Jesus told followers to “keep watch” by living alert to grace, not anxious about timing. What is one activity in your daily routine where you can intentionally look for God’s “interruptions” (a commute, mealtime, a work break)? Describe a practical way to pause in that moment and notice God.
The pastor said Advent decorations are a rehearsal for lives that bear light in dark places. Choose one physical thing from your home (a candle, an evergreen, a nativity) and plan one short ritual this week to use it as a reminder to pray for someone in need. What will you do and when?
The sermon emphasized that the kingdom begins in the heart when love for God and neighbor takes root. Who is one neighbor (literal or relational) you can show mercy or practical care to this week? What exactly will you do (deliver a meal, listen to their story, offer childcare, write an encouraging note)?
Reflecting on the flashlight illustration, the preacher reminded the group that hope is not in the batteries but in God. What is a current hope you are tempted to rely on (a plan, a person, an outcome)? How will you reframe that hope toward trust in God this Advent? [18:13]
The sermon connected “watchful faith” with preparation of heart rather than knowledge of the hour. What is one small courageous step you can take this Advent to embody mercy, truth, or forgiveness in a strained relationship? Be specific about what you will say or do and set a target date. [30:49]

Sermon Clips

When God comes into our midst, he makes everything peaceful and we won't mind because God will be in our presence and weapons will be turned into tools for growth. So the scripture said a plowshare. So the swords that are used to kill people will be turned into an implement of growing food for people. Wars will come to an end and people will stop fighting and start helping each other. [00:15:18] (34 seconds) #SwordsToPlowshares

Hope is like this light. It helps us to see where we're going even when we feel or it seems like we're in the dark. Like we will be with this flashlight because the batteries keep dying. So as we wait faithfully for God's time, we light the candle of Advent hope. Our hope is in who? Is it in the flashlight? No. No. God. Our hope is in God who will bring all nations and all people together. [00:18:14] (37 seconds) #LightOfHope

``Jesus speaks of sudden comings and unexpected hours, of people going about their daily lives unaware that heaven itself is breaking into the chaos and darkness of our world. Yet this too is Advent, a time when heaven interrupts the earth, when divine light pierces the ordinary, and when the king returns in ways that we do not expect. When Jesus speaks of his return, he's not describing a political takeover or a kingdom built by force. His reign is not like the reigns of this world, temporary, fragile, and often rooted in fear and domination. [00:26:40] (52 seconds) #HeavenBreaksIn

Christ's kingship is one of peace, justice, and mercy that flows not from power over others but from love that is poured out over all of the world. John Wesley often reminded the early Methodists that Christ's kingdom begins in the heart. When we love God and neighbor fully, we are living even now in the kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Advent then calls us not to escape this world but to see it through new eyes, to notice the signs of the kingdom already stirring around us in acts of compassion, in courage to speak the truth, and in hope that refuses to die no matter what. [00:27:32] (62 seconds) #KingdomInTheHeart

Advent then calls us not to escape this world but to see it through new eyes, to notice the signs of the kingdom already stirring around us in acts of compassion, in courage to speak the truth, and in hope that refuses to die no matter what. In a world where leaders rise and fall and where nations struggle for dominance, Advent whispers, there is another king and there is another way. [00:28:06] (39 seconds) #AnotherKingAnotherWay

In a world where leaders rise and fall and where nations struggle for dominance, Advent whispers, there is another king and there is another way. His authority is not in armies or wealth or popularity but in grace. He reigns not from a throne of gold but from a cross and an empty tomb and that is where we find our peace. Trusting that no matter how chaotic the world seems, no matter how dark things get around us, the love of Christ is still present and still rules. [00:28:34] (46 seconds) #ReignOfGrace

Keep awake, Jesus says. Not in fear but keep awake in faith. To stay awake is to live alert to grace, to look for the inbreaking of God's kingdom all around us to see signs of peace. It's to trust that even when the night feels long, morning will eventually come. Light will fill the darkness and with that light, Christ will prove himself real and present in our lives. [00:29:20] (42 seconds) #AwakeInFaith

The hanging of the greens that we participate in today is our act of watchful faith for this first Sunday in Advent. As we place the greens and light the candles and adorn the church in various ways, we are saying to the world that we are indeed awake. We believe that Christ is near, that love is stronger than hate and that peace is not a dream but a promise. Each garland and wreath and ornament becomes a declaration that the king, King Jesus, still reigns from a throne of love, mercy, and grace. [00:30:01] (47 seconds) #GreensOfAdvent

Let the evergreens remind us of the eternal hope that does not fade and let the candles that we light remind us that peace shining in every darkness in our lives and in the world and let our waiting be an active waiting. May we see signs of darkness and hurt in our world and strive to be the people that shine the light in those spaces offering love, mercy, and grace at every opportunity because what we do not what we do know for sure is the king is coming. [00:31:05] (46 seconds) #ActiveWaiting

What we don't know is the time and we don't need to know the time. If we're living the way Jesus calls us to live in our everyday lives we will be ready whenever the day comes. So let us be ready and let us be reminded by the signs of the season that the light that we receive at Christmas is brighter than any candle any star anything the light the peace the hope that we receive at Christmas is in a baby and the hope of the world is indeed found in the birth of a child. [00:31:51] (64 seconds) #ReadyWhenever

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

How is Christ’s kingdom different from worldly power?

What does staying awake in faith look like?

Why does Advent begin in holy darkness, not despair?