1st Sunday of Advent
Jer 33:14-16
1 Ths 3:12-4:2
Lk 21:25-28,34-36
“There will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves…”
As I started the day today, the morning dawned bright and sunny. I could see several people headed out for brunch at a nearby café and children cycling down to a nearby park, their shouts and laughter carried in the wind. But as I sit down to write this reflection, the weather has turned. Dark storm clouds have gathered and are hanging ominously low. The darkness is slowly engulfing the bright sky, a sign that we are in for a thunderstorm soon.
The contrast in today’s reading reminds me of the weather outside. Full of promise in the first, of the hope that the coming of the Son of Man will bring, and full of doom and gloom in the Gospel reading. The coming of Christ had been long-awaited by the people, to fulfil the prophesies in the Old Testament about the Messiah. Jesus’ coming was to redeem and save us from sin, which we remember every year during Advent. It is a period where we prepare for, and recount the joyful coming of Christ.
But while we prepare for our Christmas celebrations, let us also remember to look to the second coming of Christ. During that time, it would not be redemption, but judgment that would await us. There would be no excitement or choirs of angels singing, but there would be crashing of waves and signs in the sky and fear in the hearts of men. This will be the time when the earth will be cleansed of all evil and the wicked will be crushed. Those who are found wanting will be given judgment due to them. So, where will we stand?
We are all not perfect and we know it. We all know that there are areas in our lives that can be improved upon. We have attitudes that can be adjusted, addictions that can be kicked, tempers that can be soothed. And how are we towards our neighbours? This is a period of self-reflection and review, to prepare ourselves for the second coming of Christ. Will we be the wheat or the chaff?
So, even while we deck our halls and Christmas trees, let us not get caught up in the minutiae of the festivities. While the mornings dawn bright for now, let us sit for a moment in the presence of God and ask Him to show us where and how we can be better, lest we may be found wanting when the thunderstorms come.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Annette Soo)
Prayer: Lord, as we near the end of the year, help us reflect on how the year has been, how our attitudes have been and whether we are wanting in the sight of God. Harden not our hearts but help us come to realisation our weaknesses, and help us Lord, to see how we can make amends before it is too late.
Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of salvation through Christ our Lord. Thank you for your plan of redemption for each of us. While we prepare to rejoice and celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us not forget to prepare ourselves for the second coming.
OXYGEN 
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