Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief.’

1 Thessalonians 5:4

Do you have a favourite movie that you can watch over and over? For a long time, our family’s favourite was Disney’s ‘Frozen 2’. On rainy Saturday afternoons, it was always the go-to choice, capturing my kids’ imaginations like no other film. The plot twists weren’t surprises—they knew the story inside out, everyone was expected to get involved in the songs—whether you wanted to or not!

In today’s passage, Paul talks to the Thessalonian church about something they already know: Jesus will come back, and when He does, He will make right the wrongs, the evil, we see in the world and feel in our lives. Darkness is all around us. Paul reminds us not to give in to the temptations and evil influences around us, but to live differently, in the light of Jesus, as His people, looking forward to His return. Waiting for Jesus’ return isn’t a passive activity; it requires us to actively pursue holiness in readiness for His return. To wear faith and love and the hope of our salvation.

I sometimes wonder if time has caused my watchfulness to falter and I’m challenged by this passage to consider what my life might look like if I knew His return would happen this Advent? How much have I prioritised ‘blending in’ that I am slightly guilty of dozing on the job? Reading this passage reminds us that Jesus WILL return and we ought to look forward to it because we know He will bring the justice that we crave and as followers of Jesus, we can participate in His story.

As we anticipate Christmas we also anticipate Christ’s Second Coming. We don’t know when that will be but, just like my family with ‘Frozen 2’, because we can know what’s coming next, we can join in with the story. It’s a story that involves participation, so, along with our church family, let’s immerse ourselves in it — let’s encourage each other to hum, to sing, and even dare to dance!

Let us pray: Lord, help me to delight and join in with Your gospel story. Help me to be ‘self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet’ as we wait in readiness for Your return. Amen.

Sarah Marston, Making Disciples Coordinator.