The central calling of an Advent ethic is waiting. But this waiting is not a passive or idle activity. The root word for wait is the same root word for watch. Waiting means to watch, to pay attention to what God is doing around us. Waiting means to be alert, to keep awake.
Keep awake to justice; dismantle systemic racism which continues to uneven the playing field. Keep awake to mercy; advocate for those whose voices are stifled by the few over the good of the many. Keep awake to where God is already at work and join in this good work. There is much work to be done and God invites us to join in this good work.
The North Carolina Council of Churches staff offers you this resource as you move into the Advent of another Christian year, a year like all that have gone before it in which God’s people strive to be faithful to the call to love God and love our neighbors. We hope these weekly reminders to “Keep Awake” built around the Advent scriptures, grounded in the Council priorities, and spread across the state will enrich your season of expectation.