Mark 13: 24-37 Wrote:24 “But in those days, following that distress,

“‘the sun will be darkened,
    and the moon will not give its light;
25 the stars will fall from the sky,
    and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’

26 “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

Whether or not you happen to be a Christian, if you live in a Western nation, chances are that Advent is your busiest time of year.  Even for those who do not celebrate Christmas, it’s imminence cannot but shape some facets of our lives.  Work becomes manic as people rush around trying to get things done before the holidays, whilst ordinary shopping trips for groceries become fraught as everyone tries to stock up on everything plus all the little luxuries - as if Christmas were, in fact, an oncoming nuclear apocalypse (with chocolates).  Even travel becomes more difficult in the days and weeks before Christmas as many people try to make their way across cities, nations, continents and even oceans to be with the people they love (or whom they feel they ought to love) during the festive season.  It can all get a bit much, especially if you have any planning and work to do to make Christmas happen for you and your family.  It can be difficult to find the time and space just to breathe and be yourself for a little while.

Yet, for Christians, the period of the church calendar known as Advent needs to be just that - a period for reflection, for anticipation, for being more than simply doing.  As Christians look forward to the day upon which we choose to celebrate the birth of Christ, we anticipate the day when He will come again and although Jesus command to ‘Watch!’ is equally applicable at all other times of years, at Advent we can choose to focus on that aspect of our discipleship in particular by being very aware of God’s presence with us now whilst also to wait for him with expectant patience.

But what does that really mean, especially in the midst of the pre-Christmas chaos of secular (and even some aspect of Church) life?  Well, I think it means that we have to intentionally carve out time and space to reflect on the themes of Advent and to do so prayerfully.  It’s not always easy.  Sometimes all you can manage is a moment of silence in the midst of a Advent service, but even that can help cut through some of the festive noise to the heart of the matter.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas and I’m fond of a great many of its more secular aspects.  We keep up the pretence of Father Christmas for our daughter, for example, even though I know some Christians frown on it.  I love the lights, the colour, the cheesy pop music!  The FOOD!

Working in retail, however, the pressures and chaos and sheer meaninglessness of so much of the Christmas and pre-Christmas madness can get to you.  I find it very easy to understand why many people hate Christmas.  It’s not a time of year that is very forgiving to those not willing or able to commit to all the ‘festivities’ and if your circumstances or temperament make any of the usual Christmas activities difficult or painful, then the whole season can soon become a write-off.

I find Christmas difficult in retail, certainly.  It is stressful and doesn’t suit my temperament or tendency towards anxiety at all and if all I focus on is the usual trappings of the season, I can quickly lose all joy in it.  So, for me, it is especially important to take time to focus on something deeper.  If I don’t spend some time quietly focussed on Christ, Christmas can very quickly pass me by and all I’m left with is a melancholy nostalgia of Christmasses past, instead of a powerful hope for a true Christ-mass in the future.

So, this Advent, I’m going to try to do what I always do this time of year - find some time and space to be with God and, rather than pour my expectations upon Him, I’m just going to wait expectantly for Him and see what He does.  I fully expect that He’ll surprise me.