Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘This is evidence of the righteous judgement of God, and is intended to make you worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering.’ 2 Thessalonians 1:5

You might think that as a person who struggles with patience the waiting of Advent would be difficult for me, but no, it is not. That is because there are two different kinds of waiting: the passive and the active.

I hate the passive waiting of queuing. Tarleton’s Community Facebook page was full of frustration when back at the end of September temporary traffic lights at Bank Bridge added up to two hours to some people’s commute.

The waiting of Advent is a very active waiting. It is a getting oneself ready for the coming of Christ. We are getting ready to mark His birth at Bethlehem two thousand years ago, and to prepare for His second coming. Sadly, Advent can become an overactive time of preparing physically for the celebrations of Christmas. More time, effort and money goes in to preparing the Christmas Day Lunch, than a week’s worth of meals at other times in the year. Then there is all the present buying, which can be all consuming.

The preparing I am talking about is spiritual preparing. One of the ancient themes of the Advent Season are the four last things: death, judgment, heaven and hell. As we prepare this Advent there is the need to prepare for Judgment Day. When that day comes are we able to say to God 'I did my best’. However, I want to distinguish between judgment and punishment. God’s judgment may seem to be harsh, but it is not retributive. God is a merciful God. God will know, respect and reward when we have tried and failed rather than not tried at all.

God’s merciful judgment will in the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary involve casting down of the mighty and lifting up of the lowly (Luke 1:52). So, He will correct the wrongs as St Paul tells the early Christians in Thessalonica, in today’s passage.

So, this Advent, I urge you to commit to setting time aside with God in prayer and Bible study, so you can know Him better….and learn from him how to live a more Holy life.

The Revd Canon Mark Soady, Rector of Rufford & Tarelton.