Presence

Heavenly Father, you welcome me with open arms as I begin this Advent journey. Embrace me and speak to me tenderly today, through your word and your Presence.

Gospel

Mark 13:33–37 NRSVue

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.”

Gospel Reflection

The Advent season recalls significant events and people to help us to be alert for Christmas. Qualities such as being prepared and staying attentive are highlighted today. May we grow in appreciation of God’s greatest gift to us in Jesus and be ready to welcome him in his coming anew to us. Good servants await the return of the master. Our master desires to serve US. May our Advent waiting be one that desires to welcome a friend who comes to save, not a thief in the night who is to be feared.

An Advent Reflection

Advent is waiting for the birth of Jesus,
but it’s a strange waiting:
we are waiting each year for someone who we
know is already here!
We recall in Advent
that the Lord Jesus has come among us,
is present all the time
and will come again in glory.
He is the child who is born each year,
for the world always needs its God and Saviour.
He is the child awaited each year,
for our lives are new each year,
and we need him in different ways at different stages
of life,
and the world has different needs of God at different
times.
We need the child of peace to be born
in our wars and violence,
the child of wisdom in our search for truth and
meaning,
the child of gentleness in a world which can be harsh
and greedy.

We need to know in Jesus
that birth and life
are among the most precious gifts of God,
and that in the birth of Jesus each year,
there is the everlasting promise that God
will be with us.
And Advent looks ahead,
letting us see that the life of Jesus is never over,
that the truth of Jesus is always spoken,
that the love of Jesus is always real,
and that he will one day be seen in glory.
For we are people of Advent and Easter,
of waiting and of resurrection;
we are people of earth and heaven,
as he is the Son of God and Son of Mary,
and leads us through our life on earth
to the eternal glory of heaven.

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord, awaken my heart to the wonder of your imminent coming; may I be full of expectant hope and anticipation, as I prepare for you to be born anew into my life and into the world. Please keep my eyes fixed on you and all that your Incarnation means, as I embark on the journey of Advent, in the midst of all the worldly distractions that this season brings. I thank you that you are already so close to me Lord, closer than my very breath. Amen.