November 30, 2014 1st Sunday of Advent
Every year Advent starts the same way for me—I look at our gospel lesson and think, this doesn't seem very joyful or hopeful for the season of Christmas. And here it is again, “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” That doesn't sound very “peace on earth goodwill to men”-like.
But again every year I have to remind myself, Advent is not so much about us preparing for Christmas as it is about announcing the coming again of Jesus as our deliverer and redeemer. Advent is a preparation time, but not for buying our presents and setting up the tree and having parties—although we do those things. It is about being reminded that this world is not all there is. We are to be ready at all times for Jesus to usher in the new creation. “keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come...for you do not know when the master of the house will come, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."