Wake Up - Advent 1

Advent 1: Wake Up! I don't know about you, but 2020 has been a very trying year. I'm tired. I'm overwhelmed by the constant barrage of Covid-19 news, of violent protests, of social injustices. It's been a difficult year hasn't it? Historically this time of year we were probably guilty of overscheduling, running in circles getting no-where. Historically we'd be taking the children to sporting practices, dance lessons, cub scout meetings. Our schedules would go into overdrive as we prepare for the upcoming Christmas season. And now Jesus is reminding us to keep awake. But in those days, following that distress, 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 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. 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. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 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. 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. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' Mark 13:24-37 Jesus reminds us to keep awake. I feel awake. I'm busy, my schedule is completely full. From now until the end of December I don't have 5 minutes to spare. Let's remind ourselves though, our overscheduled calendars may seem to be pointing towards Christmas, but they seldom point us towards the upcoming celebration of the birth of Jesus. As this advent season begins, and progresses, the number of shopping days offering us "bargains" slips away, adding more stress to a difficult year. We really, really need to find that special gift for you know who...the one who is impossible to shop for. We need to plan the perfect meals, the perfect clothing, to make this Christmas the best. Will the Covid pandemic keep us from getting together with those we love? It's no wonder we tune it all out. God understands. Today's scripture reminds us that we are indeed asleep to the things that matter. I grew up in a house on a busy street. Cars would drive by my bedroom window at all hours of day or night...horns honking, brakes squealing. Yet because I was so immersed in this environment, I stopped hearing traffic. Perhaps you have heard these advent scriptures so many times before, experienced the birth of Jesus so many times before, that we no longer notice. Or if we do notice, it doesn't bring excitement, or wonderment, but rather a dull sense of acknowledgement. We are asleep to those things that matter. We may not be physically asleep; quite the opposite. But in our wakefulness to worldly ways, we fall asleep to the spiritual season, and so we need a wake-up call from the Gospel of Mark. In a season that is gearing us up to shop, let us consider what it would mean to stay away from the hype of material possessions. This life is precious and unpredictable. 2020 has shown us just how unpredictable life of earth is. This upcoming season is short. Let us not have it slip away, only to realize that we spent it shopping. On the first Sunday of Advent, there is still time to wake up from that bad dream. There is still time to encounter instead the presence of Christ in our waking hours. The gospel reminds us to be awake to God in the world. This advent season, like us be awake, be restful be at peace. * God of justice and peace, from the heavens you rain down mercy and kindness, that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder before your marvelous deeds. Raise our heads in expectation, that we may yearn for the coming day of the Lord and stand without blame before your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.