1st Sunday of Advent

We have all most likely experienced the panic of our parents or spouse coming home, only to suddenly realize that the chores we were asked to do have not yet been completed. In a mad dash, we run around the house trying to get it all done before they arrive so that we can present ourselves as tidy, and not disappoint our loved ones. It is easy to then project this human experience on the Lord, especially after Jesus tells His disciples in today’s Gospel “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come” (Mark 13:33). Yet what if God has more for us this Advent than a hurried or fearful preparation of His coming?

Jesus already knows the ways that “all of us have become like unclean people,” and He already knows where our hearts have strayed from His love (Isaiah 64:6). And yet He is not surprised or repulsed by our brokenness, for our Creator is more aware of our own mess than we are. Therefore, we have nothing to fear as we begin to prepare our hearts for His coming. In fact, it is the very joy of the Gospel that the King of the Universe chose to enter into humanity by being born into a simple manger. Similarly, the Lord desires to dwell in the messiness and brokenness of our own lives and hearts.

This Advent, we are free to wait and prepare - not in fear - but in joyful anticipation of Jesus’ coming. We can prepare to receive Him, knowing that it is never too late for the Lord to transform the ordinary. There is no heart, no family, no community too broken for Him to enter into, we only need to give Him permission to do so.

When you read the verse - “Be watchful! Be alert!” - do you feel a hurried fear or joyful preparation?

Which area of your mess does Jesus want you to invite Him into this Advent? (Difficult relationships, insecurities, addictions, temptations, etc.)

How can we make space for the Lord to mold us as His clay this Advent? (Time in silence, reading scripture, decreasing the noise in our lives, etc.)