Scripture:

‘Jesus said: ‘About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father’’ (Matthew 24.36)

Reflection:

A man used to stand outside Victoria Station carrying a large placard with the words ‘REPENT, FOR THE END IS NIGH’. Nobody seemed to take him very seriously, and why should they, when Jesus himself said nobody except God knew when the world would end?

But Jesus also made clear that we should not be unprepared either for the end of the world, or indeed our own death. Advent, the four week period before Christmas, is a time to reflect on our lives in the light of eternity; to ‘repent’, which actually means to change direction. To consider where we are in life and where we are heading. If necessary to re-programme our spiritual Satnav.

‘Be prepared’ is a perfect motto for Advent - and not only in terms of Christmas shopping!

Revd Rosemary Kobus van Wengen