Gospel:  Mt 24:37-44
 
"For as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 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. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left. Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

1. Advent, a Time of Preparation.
 
"Stay awake, therefore! You cannot know the day your Lord is coming." Although the date for Christ's birth, and probably a few Christmas parties with family and friends, is set on our calendar, we really have no idea of the day or the moment that Christ will knock at the door of our hearts. God's time is God's time, not ours. We cannot out-guess him; we cannot anticipate what he will do for us in any given moment. We have to be ready. 
 
There is a story of an old shoemaker who dreamt the Christ Child was going to come and visit him on Christmas day. He waited anxiously for the divine guest. Although many people visited his shop, and he welcomed each with joy and kindness, the day passed without Christ showing up, or so he thought.  But later he as he read the Gospel he realized that "whatever you do to others you do to me", and in reality Christ had been visiting his shop all day.
 
We are not always aware of Christ's hidden presence in our lives and in those around us, we are so busy. How would you treat Christ if he were to come to you today? Have you been treating everyone as Christ coming to see you? Advent is the perfect opportunity to rethink the many ways he has of making himself present, and prepare to recognize and receive him always with open arms.

2. Advent, a Time of Renewal.
 
St. Paul says, "Let us cast off the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light". How merciful God is to give us time to renew our lives, to purify them from anything that is getting in the way of his coming, anything that reduces the effect of his presence in my life. We renew, refresh and purify, not because he needs it but rather because we need it. He gives us this time to prepare and renew ourselves so that we will receive his gift more fully.

Resolution:  Plan to meet Christ in the sacrament of Reconciliation this first week of Advent as a way to prepare for his coming at Christmas. Set the date and time.

Questionnaire:  This optional questionnaire is intended to help you evaluate you life in light of the inspiriations God just gave you in these moments you spent with him in prayer.
 
1. How will I prepare for this Christmas? What will make Advent this year different from others?