i-Llan: 1st December 2024 – If I knew you were coming . . .

At the beginning of Advent, I wonder: 'If I knew Jesus was coming, what would I do?'

The  readings for the fist Sunday of Advent 2024 are:
Jeremiah 33. 14-16
1 Thessalonians 3. 9-13
Luke 21. 25-36
and you can find them at https://www.alisteningspace.org.uk/yearc/advent-1c/

i-Llan is part of alisteningspace.uk

Transcript

Welcome to i-Llan, a podcast connecting faith, life and scripture. In this episode at the beginning of Advent, I'm wondering, 'If I knew Jesus was coming, what would I do?'

When I was little, my dad used to sing a catchy song:
 If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake. . . 
 Had you dropped me a letter, I'd a-hired a band, grandest band in the land
 And spread the welcome mat for you.

It came into my head as I was thinking about Advent. If I knew Jesus was coming to visit, what would I do? Would I, like Martha of Bethany, be scrubbing, polishing, baking a cake and getting out the best tea service? Or would I, like Martha’s sister Mary, keep it simple and quiet? (Luke 10. 38 - 42)

Then, would I want to keep him to myself or invite others? Who else would I invite? The bishop, the mayor and local bigwigs? Jesus’s own instructions were ‘The next time you put on a dinner, don’t just invite your friends and family and rich neighbours, the kind of people who will return the favour. Invite some people who never get invited out, (Luke 14. 12-13 The Message)

But, supposing Jesus were to return suddenly with no warning and judge the world? Would I be ready? Would my record tick all the right boxes? Or would I be scrabbling around, trying—too late—to put my life in good order?

I remember the story Jesus told about the Day of Judgment. ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.’ (Matthew 25. 31, 32 NRSVA) In the story, the criteria for judgement are not whether someone has been to church every Sunday, said their prayers, paid their tithes, been scrupulous to observe the rules, but whether or not they have gone out of their way to treat others with compassion.

On Advent Sunday, I finally admit that Christmas is coming and I’d better do something about it. But, as well as plans for present buying, carol singing, and enjoying Christmas dinner, I also try to include a review of my everyday life and doings, asking:

• How do I feel about the thought of Jesus coming?
• How do I already welcome Jesus by welcoming others and sharing God’s love? 
• How do I spend time, in prayer and with the scriptures, listening for the quiet voice of God who welcomes me?
• How have I noticed—and welcomed—God at work in my life and in the world?
•  How is God inviting me to prepare to receive more of the gift of himself? Are there things I need to put right in my life?
• What are my hopes and dreams for the coming year?

Those are some of my questions.
If you knew Jesus was coming, what would you do?

One of my favourite Advent prayers is:
O Lord our God, 
make us watchful and keep us faithful 
as we await the coming of your Son our Lord; 
that, when he shall appear, he may not find us sleeping in sin 
but active in his service and joyful in his praise; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

May God bless you and keep you,
May he look kindly on you and give you peace.
Amen.