Contine Vigilance

Luke 25-28, 34-36 25 

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. 34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” We begin Advent with a continuation of the frightening description of "the end" that we have been reading for the past several weeks. No doubt about it, this world we now know will be transformed by the overpowering presence of the Son of God at a time known only to our Three-in-one God. While we wait, Jesus urges us to be vigilant, to live each day as if it were the last, so that we might be ready for the Laast Day, or at least, for OUR last day, The season of Advent gives us the opportunity to live more like we should all the time, in prayerful attention to the Word of God, in sacrifice, (not as much as in Lent) but in some daily practice that will cleanse our us to receive Jesus at Christmas with clean hearts. The beautiful readings from Isaiah will help us focus and redirect our thoughts and actions to the "things that are above", and merit time for extra reflection, lest we become too absorbed in shopping and worrying about family preparations, Christmas decorations and parties. Yes, it's easy for Advent to get buried, but this year, in light of the sobering reality of the never-endiing Pandemic, let's pledge today to give Advent its proper place. It's an essential time to prepare for the real significance of Christmas...the birth of Jesus Christ. 

Bro. Rene