Stay Awake at all Times

Today we attended a Christmas play at my granddaughter’s school in which she played the inn-keeper. As I joyfully watched the little children go through their parts in that endearing original Christmas story, I thought of its eternal capacity to evoke feelings of warmth and love.

When I saw the ‘shepherds who watched their flocks by night’ come to visit baby Jesus I reflected on Jesus’ words in this week’s Gospel Luke 21: 25-28, 34-35 ‘Stay awake at all times’. Their diligence in staying awake, to watch their flocks, won them the gift of being the first to see the baby Jesus.

I believe their story accurately captures the sentiment of Jesus’ words in preparing for the Christ Child. Their vigilance reminds us that the Advent season is a call to readiness, not just for Christmas but for the ongoing invitation to encounter Christ in our daily lives.

Like the shepherds, we are invited to keep watch with expectant hearts, attentive to the signs of God’s presence in the ordinary and extraordinary moments of our journey. The joy and innocence of the children’s performance today beautifully mirrored the simplicity and wonder of that first Christmas night, calling us to embrace the spirit of hope and love that the season brings.

We stay awake not by avoiding rest but by cultivating attentiveness and mindfulness in our daily lives, fully present to the moments that shape our station in life. This wakefulness calls us to notice God’s hand in the beauty of nature—the rustling leaves, the sunrise, the rhythmic waves—and to recognize His presence in the seemingly random encounters with others.

A kind word, a chance meeting, or an act of generosity becomes an opportunity to glimpse the divine. Staying awake means living with a heart open to grace, attuned to the sacred in the ordinary, and ready to respond with love and faithfulness to God’s call in every circumstance.

Many, on the other hand, find themselves unable to sleep, consumed by the worries and cares of this world. Their minds race with thoughts of responsibilities, ambitions, and anxieties, leaving little room for peace or rest. Yet, ironically, in their preoccupation, they fail to truly stay awake in the spiritual sense.

Like Martha, whom Jesus gently corrected, they ‘worry and fret about so many things,’ losing sight of the one thing that truly matters: attentiveness to Jesus. It is not the busyness of life that keeps us spiritually awake, but our focus on Him who offers peace and purpose amidst life’s demands. Without this focus, even the most active life becomes a restless slumber, disconnected from the presence of God.

As we continue our pilgrimage through Advent, we are called to journey with hearts and minds awake to the subtle signs of the grace of our Lord, the Christ Child. This season of Hope invites us to pause, reflect, and embrace practices that draw us closer to God’s presence in our lives.

Consider keeping a journal to capture moments of gratitude, insights, and prayers as you prepare for His coming. Create an Advent wreath to mark the weeks with light and prayer, a tangible reminder of the hope and joy that await us. Most importantly, avail yourself of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, allowing God’s mercy to renew your heart and spirit.

By immersing yourself in these practices, you open the door to a deeper experience of Advent, awakening to the profound peace and joy that come from walking this sacred journey with Christ.