Remember as a child waiting for someone special to arrive? Minutes seemed like hours. You may have looked out of the window hundreds of times, as I did. When will she get here? What is taking so long? Is she even coming at all? This breathless anticipation slightly differs from what we hear in today’s Gospel reading.

Jesus tells a brief parable about servants waiting for their master to return. They are left in charge, with specific work to do. Without knowing when the master will return, there may have been a temptation to slack off. After all, they might think, it could be days, weeks, or even months before he returns. So, what’s the hurry?

Jesus knows us pretty well. In our spiritual lives, there may be times when we’re tempted to put off until tomorrow what we could do today. “Oh, there’s plenty of time to go to Confession.” “I don’t have time to pray today; I’ll try again tomorrow.” “That spiritual book… I’ll get to it eventually.”

There is urgency in Jesus words, “What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!'” Advent gives us the opportunity to let the Holy Spirit give us the push we need to go from spiritual laziness to vigilance – watching in excitement for Christ’s coming at Christmas. When he arrives, may he find us all ready to embrace him!

Try this: Take just 60 seconds a day during Advent and simply be silent, perhaps praying, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Jesus, grant that we may be watchful and alert throughout Advent, ready for your coming at Christmas.