“Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”

– Matthew 24:42

When we expect company in the evenings after the day’s work is done, we turn on the porch light. Our small beacon of welcome streams out to meet the visitor. This is not new, for people have lit a candle or oil lamp for centuries and have set it at the window or outside as a sign of welcome. The welcoming light is a sign that the people inside are vigilant, watchful and awake. They are ready; the porch light outside or the light in the window says so.

Advent is the time of year that cautions us to be “prepared” spiritually for the coming of Christ. The son of man is coming at “the time you least expect” we read in the Gospel. The people in Jesus’ time did what all people do, day in and day out. They plowed the fields; they prepared meals, they ate and drank; they married and they were given in marriage. These were every day tasks which required little thought and attention. They are the stuff of human life. But, Jesus reminds us that we must keep the steady flame of the Spirit burning in our hearts as a sign of God’s presence in our lives.

This time of year, families are busy pulling out boxes of Christmas lights and ornaments to decorate their homes for the Christmas season. This is a beautiful custom for it reminds us of the importance of Christmas when the baby Jesus was born in a simple manger, and that He came to redeem us from sin. This is the time of year when we begin the preparation for Christ’s coming at Christmas. Churches, malls, streets and homes are decorated inside and outside as a sign of preparation, and as a way of celebrating the Christmas spirit. Don’t you like it? There is music in the air; there is joy and there is the frivolity of children running about, having fun, because Christmas is coming.

Yet, there is more to Christmas than that. We need to prepare our hearts and minds to imbibe the spirit of Christmas; that spirit of listening to Christ, and putting His teaching into practice.

Try to be more sensitive to one another’s needs this Advent; try to visit someone who is sick or in hospital; try to help the needy in your midst. Listen more carefully to what the scriptures have to tell you but, above all, try to live the scriptures. In other words: “Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”

You don’t have to do anything extraordinary to stay awake and to be prepared for Christmas. Create a spirit of joy in the home; help one another-your parents, brothers, sisters during this wonderful season. Spread good cheer wherever you are; in the home; at church; in the workplace; in school; or at play.

Above all, try to see Christ in everyone you encounter. Forgive one another; encourage one another; and be respectful of everyone from the greatest to the least.

Try to act like Jesus.

Fr. Hugh Duffy