Advent 1

An Introduction to Advent  

For hundreds of years the Christian church has kept time in a different way from most of the world.  It marks time in years, but the Christian year does not start on January 1.  It begins with a season we call “Advent” on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (in late November or early December, depending on the year). 

During that year the Christian church tells its ancient faith story all over again.  During the time leading up to Christmas, Advent looks simultaneously at both the beginning of the story -- Jesus' birth in the manger in Bethlehem -- and at the end of the story -- Jesus' future return at the end of time.  The link is that Advent is a time of preparation for Jesus' coming into the world. 

Many Christians use the season of Advent as a time for spiritual growth through prayer, fasting, and penitence to make their hearts ready for the celebration of that special time when God arrived in the flesh as an infant to teach us the incredible depth and breadth of God’s love for all people; the same Jesus who will come again at the end of time.

Preparation

Please begin by reading Mark 13:24-37 in your Bible. If you do not have one at hand, we have provided that text for you at the end of this reflection.

Reflection--Keeping Awake

  Not too long ago, I accompanied some friends who were interested in buying new bedding to a mattress store.  We listened as the saleslady gave a pitch for one of her more expensive mattresses.  Her concluding line was, “after all, you must sleep to live.”  My response was, “no, no.  I live to sleep.”

I was only half joking.  There is little in life that I find more satisfying and refreshing than a really good night’s sleep; especially on those occasions when I have the luxury of sleeping as long as it takes to awake naturally instead of to the insistent buzzing of my alarm clock.  How refreshed and energized I feel! 

Apart from the refreshment, I suppose I value a sound night’s sleep so much because it usually comes at times when there is little stress and anxiety in my life.  A sound, refreshing sleep usually comes when there are no major problems relating to work, interpersonal relationships, health, or other issues that can play themselves out again and again in my mind as I stare at the ceiling seeking sleep in vain.

I believe that these special times of peace and respite are a gift from God; a gift that helps us to be reenergized so that we can move on and do what needs to be done.  On the other hand Jesus also warns us to keep awake.  Too much peace and complacency is not a good thing.

This year, as every year, the season of Advent looks in two different directions; back to Jesus’ birth in the manger as God’s special gift to the world and forward to the end of time when Jesus will return as our judge to hold us accountable for what we have done with our lives.

Today’s passage from Mark looks to that future “second coming.”  Jesus warns us to keep awake in a figurative sense.  He is really reminding us that, yes, we are going to be held accountable for what we have done with the time on earth that God grants us.  The warning is not to become so complaisant or so caught up in the cares of our daily lives that we forget why God placed us here.  While he is away, Jesus has left us in charge of carrying out God’s work on earth.  And what is that?  Perhaps the prophet Micah answered it best long, long ago.  “God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does God require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

revclay

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Mark 13:24-37

[Jesus said]  “But in those days, after that suffering, 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.  Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory.  Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.  So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.  Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.  It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.  Therefore, keep awake--for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.  And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."

[NRSV]