“Therefore, keep awake – for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.  And what I say to you I say to all:  Keep Awake!” – Mark 13: 35-37

“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” – John 1: 14 

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

            Did you know that the season of Advent really started before Halloween this year?  I was kind of embarrassed that I missed the memo as I walked into our local mega store to see the Christmas decorations already up next to the discounted Halloween candy and costumes, as well as the posters of cheerful Pilgrims and a smiling turkey.   It was even more confusing when I went to look for any sign of the baby Jesus, the Christ child, and found only cute angels and stars, evidently advertising the coming of Santa Claus complete with laser blasters and heavy metal tattoo Barbie.  

It is easy to get all sanctimonious and self-righteous; pointing fingers and complaining, isn’t it?  But then I remember – it isn’t the responsibility of retail stores to do what we Christians are supposed to do, which is to join the angels in proclaiming the Good News, the surprising gift of the birth of the Savior, who is the Messiah, Christ the Lord.  The Real Gift and Promise of Christmas is that “the Word became flesh and lived among us,” and that is not something you can buy in a store, it is a free gift given in Word, Sacrament, and the lived-out faith of Christian people.  God became Incarnate; meaning, that in Christ Jesus we see the glorious union of God and humanity, full of grace and truth.  The Real Gift and Surprise of Christmas has been entrusted to us, Christ Jesus, not to keep for ourselves, but for us to freely receive and then give to everyone!

And so Jesus admonishes us to “Keep Awake!”  The Risen Christ is in our midst, to heal and save us, to forgive and cleanse us, to love and care for us…but are we awake and paying attention? 

About 100 people from Casa de Oracion, Lily of the Valley, Christus Victor, as well as family, friends, and neighbors, gathered a week ago to work side by side putting 250 Thanksgiving Baskets together for families in our community.  Christ was in our midst!  Then individuals and families began to arrive to pick up their baskets, some with broken spirits and wounded pride, yet leaving with a smile and hope and love in the form of a card board box of food.  Christ was in our midst!  Two young boys hefted the heaving boxes out to a vehicle, as a grandmother cried with relief and joy, because now she would be able to feed the grandchildren she was raising all by herself.  Christ was in our midst!

Yes, Christ has come, Christ is present with us, Christ will come again.  So, keep awake this Thanksgiving/Advent/Christmas season, for Christ is in our midst!