Mark 13:24-37 24 “But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27 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. 28 “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. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he [a] is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; [b] for you do not know when the time will come. 34 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. 35 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, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
As we prepare for Advent, let us reflect not only on the anticipation of the holiday season. Let us reflect on the coming of our Lord as a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger and as our Lord who has promised to come again to claim victory over death and evil. Both of these events, one history and one yet to come, usher in God’s promises: something big, a love that changes everything. Immanuel, God with us!! This story illustrates what I mean.
An old pioneer traveled westward across the Great Plains until he came to an abrupt halt at the edge of the Grand Canyon. He gawked in amazement. The chasm was a mile down, eighteen miles across and more than a hundred miles long. He gasped, “Wow, something big musta’ happened here!”
A visitor to our world at Christmas, seeing all the lights, the trees, the decorations, the parades, the festivities, the charitable actions and gifts, and all the religious services, probably would say the same thing: “Wow, something big musta’ happened here!” And something big DID happen. God put on flesh and came into our world as one of us on the first Christmas. That event changed all of history.
Unfortunately, few were watching that night. People went about their business at home, in their shops, in the marketplace, while God was doing His greatest and most creative work right under their noses.
That’s one reasons why Jesus says, “Watch! Be prepared!” Advent is a time of personal preparation for Christmas and when Christ comes again. And we have to be prepared if we want to see God’s amazing work.
We have to stay awake and be alert so that Christmas can be meaningful. We have to prepare our hearts as well as our homes. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
Advent Blessings, Pastor Lori Pankratz
