Stay Awake

Keeping Watch

It’s here, it’s Christmas time. The calendar has turned to December, houses keep sprouting lights, and my Facebook feed is filled with images of jolly old St. Nick slapping Arius for his heretical views on the trinity. I have looked at these signs and determined Christmas is almost here. It’s that time of year we all eagerly await the celebration of the birth of Christ. Today at the start of Advent we are reminded to stay awake, and watch for the day of his return.

One of my fondest Christmas memories when I was a kid was staying up late with my brother, waiting and watching to catch a glimpse of Jolly Old St. Nick and his sleigh flying across the sky. One year I saw a red light flying through the sky and I was convinced it was Rudolph’s red nose. We never did catch Santa in the act of squeezing down our chimney or putting presents under the tree, we always fell asleep watching and eagerly waiting.

Today’s gospel reading is a reminder to us as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ, we do so with the eagerness, and faith of a child, looking for Christ return. We light our first advent candle with the confident hope that Christ will come again. Let’s stay awake, keep watch, and do the work he has given us to do.

Stay Awake

Mark: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition From the Text

This chapter is a reminder that, despite appearances to the contrary (oppression and suffering, corrupt religious leaders, false prophets, and false messiahs), the goal and future of God’s creation is within his control. His ultimate good purposes will triumph. Opposition to God’s reign may be fierce. But his good purposes will be accomplished. That end is never in doubt.

Jesus in Mark 13 leading up to now has again painted an apocalyptic scene of the world for his disciples. It starts with the destruction of the temple, talks about false Messiahs, wars and rumors of wars, and a severe persecution. The world Jesus paints for his disciples is one that is dark and many would call it hopeless.

Jesus challenges his followers, even us today, to not panic, to stay awake through the darkness shining and looking for the light of Christ.

John 1:5 NLT

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

The Call to Watch Out

This passage of scripture challenges Christ followers to stay alert, to watch out, or to stay awake several times. Despite all the distractions that surround them of false messiahs, persecution, destruction of the temple, and wars, Christ followers are to keep watch. Watch for what? The light of Christ. The one that is here with us shining in the darkness of our world, and the light of his return.

It is interesting the charge to stay awake, to keep watch comes one chapter before Jesus is arrested. In Mark 14:34 He tells them again to keep watch with him. In verse Mark 14:37-38 he finds them sleeping. Jesus is entering his darkest hour and asking his friends to stay awake and keep watch with him.

In the darkness of our world. In the midst of wars and rumors of wars, lets not be overwhelmed by the darkness and lose hope, but keep watch for the light of Christ.

We have work to do

In Jesus final parable of the coming of the son of man, the master leaves jobs for his slaves to do. While we watch, and stay awake we have work to do. What is that work? The work is the great commission.

Mark 16:15 NRSV

15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation.

Not only are we too keep watch for the coming light of Christ. We also are to go tell it on the mountain. That Jesus Christ, God in human flesh is the light that shines in the darkness that the darkness could not overcome.

May the lights of Christmas remind us that as we look for the coming light of Christ, we bare the light of Christ through the darkness that surrounds us. God has given work to do.

Light in the Darkness

As we begin our advent journey, let’s stay awake and watch out with eager anticipation for the light of Christ’s return. While we keep watch lets shine the light of Christ through the darkness of this world. Let’s light candles.

I Will Light Candles This Christmas

Howard Thurman