The world has lost Advent…not that they ever really possessed it or had it.
Society-at-large doesn’t even consider “Advent” – that is, if society-at-large has even – heard of it! What is Advent?
Society-at-large has “no time” for such things as “Advent”…folks are “way too busy, shopping, wrapping and decking” their halls. Who has time to stop and pause? It is about getting things done.
There is no restraint. The plastic is rolling out of those wallets! Ka’ ching!
There is little in the way of preparation.
This has become the “new normal.” This is the “new preparation.” It’s nothing spiritual, but it IS kind-of- preparation. There is the December 24th deadline to consider and the all important clock is ticking away.
In all actuality – we’ve been doing these things to the tune of “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” – somehow piped above the din of the mall, since before Thanksgiving.
There is no time for waiting. There is not time for watching…not at 20% off…or better…
Some stores were ready to go after Halloween. It is a big money maker, you know. Make it now, or you never will.
And you know the funny thing is – we have no room “to gloat,” because most of us are “right there with them.”
Our trees are up.
Some people even have their cookies made. Their cards are being written out – while I speak.
Presents are purchased! Some people are even completely done! Wrapped… under the tree, and done with the whole thing.
No time for the religious. No time for the spiritual. No time for preparation. No time for prophecy or for Advent wreaths.
And yet the church says a different thing. Take it slow. Do not rush. Allow room for the holy. Allow room for “the WORD.” Let it resonate with you…and “what about” the spirit?
There is time, at least for now…
We are after all, “an Advent people.” Waiting, watching, staying alert is what we do best!
This year while we shop, and wrap and deck, we are to stay alert. We are to watch the stars, the sun and the moon, waiting for Jesus to come around the corner and become “manifest” in ways we wouldn’t even dare to imagine…
There is no rush. There is no hurry.
As a matter of fact, the December Cold-Frost Full Moon” is actually one of those super-moons…it will be unusually close to the earth.
The time to look up is this Sunday night, it should be the brightest full moon of this year!
It should appear to be 14% larger and 30% brighter, but we will let you be the judge of that one!
Take the time, look up! Most people won’t, but YOU take the time to!
The Gospel reading for this week is not exactly the kind of reading we might “automatically” expect – when we think about “a new season of the church year.”
The radio tells us it is “the most wonderful time of the year”…but a lot of people are not there yet.
There is time to get there.
Real life continues to happen even during Advent. Real struggles are happening on all sides of us. And we just want to know that we are not alone…that someone cares…
And we are not alone and God does care.
People are recovering from surgeries and from illnesses, people are experiencing the loss of loved ones, or are spending time with those near death, there are losses of jobs, drug and alcohol abuse, divorce, fear about taxes, and Social Security and Medicare cuts. People are concerned and worried and heartbroken about so many things. Not everyone feels it is “the most wonderful time of the year.” At least, not yet! Don’t rush them. Give them time. Give them assurance. Let them ponder. Let them look up. Let the WORD have time to soak in. Allow the spirit to be.
The church has always said, that we as Christians are to be aware that we are always living in the last times – that we always need to be prepared to “meet our maker.”
That’s what our gospel text is all about – always be watchful, always be alert, always being ready to “meet our maker…” And, it is the season of Advent that allows us such time. It is Adventide that reminds us that he is coming one day, and when he comes – he is coming for us.
Are you ready? Relax, you still have plenty of time to prepare…and remember to look up! Some day HE is coming…And he is coming for YOU! Amen.