Once again Advent is upon us.  Advent is the season of endings and beginnings.  It comes at the end of the secular calendar, but the beginning the Church year.  This year’s holiday [shopping] season started around Halloween.  In contrast, the Church invites us to begin a season of waiting for the coming of the one who came before, more than 2000 years ago!

            Advent recalls the time long ago before the Savior, days like the ones spoken of in today’s gospel.  “In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark.”  In other words, people were carrying on as though they had all the time in the world, but time was just about to run out.  Advent reminds us that the Savior will come again, with that same suddenness, for each of us.  One person will be taken, one will remain.  People will be puzzled, “why this one and not the other?”  Be sure of this, if he had known, he would have stayed awake.

            Is Advent about fear then?  Paul tells us this “is the hour to awake from sleep... throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”  Advent reminds us of our own condition in the world.  We are almost finished, but not yet completely started.  We know about the Lord.  We think we love him, but it is so easy to get caught up in the things of this world.  We don’t believe we are asleep.  We think we are very much awake.  We get up early.  We work out.  We pursue our careers.  Day by day we become more convinced that we must work even harder to keep it all going.  Is it any wonder, we are all exhausted!

            We cannot save ourselves!  For thousands of years ancient peoples struggled to offer sacrifices that would make things right with their gods.  They were a people who lived in darkness.  They didn’t know any better.  Unless we are careful, we shall become just like them.  This Advent time reminds us that we cannot and need not do it by ourselves.  God has already done it for us!  He has sent His only Son to be our Savior.  We are invited to re-discover that good news, to hear it again, as though for the first time.  It is a time to let it sink deep into our hearts and our souls. 

            This time of year you have many obligations and responsibilities.  Do not waste this Advent season, set aside some special time to be with the God who made you and loves you.