Today is the First Sunday of Advent and the scripture lessons for the day warn of being ready for the end of time and the coming of God's kingdom. We have been waiting a long time, far past our attention span. I recall a worship service my first month in seminary where one person whispered in my ear "The kingdom of God is here" and later a different person whispered "The kingdom is not yet." We live in the tension of moments of grace with other times of despair. The events of this past week demonstrate how far we have yet to go. But still we live in enough hope to watch for a transformation.

"The call to watchfulness, to being alert at all times, is critical to our very being, not only to be ready for Christ’s appearance, but also to be aware of all that would seduce us into believing either that time for preparation is unlimited or that it is sparse because the moment of Christ’s appearing is imminent. We are honor bound as Christians to keep awake to the evidence of injustice and oppression so that we can seek justice for all people in the name of Christ. It is more than watching for his coming as a final event, but it is watchfulness that enables us to be Christ’s presence in the world. In that way, we live in a state of readiness for the day of his final appearing." Gennifer Benjamin Brooks