Advent Alarm

December 5, 2024

As the winter deepens and the darkness creeps further into “day” time, I am finding it increasingly difficult to pull myself out from under the covers. Nice flannel sheets…a big duvet…it’s all too cozy. In our house, the pets like to sneak up on the bed in the wee hours when we have no resolve to fight them off, a habit which only compounds my problem. It’s like having furry, radiant heat logs snuggled in beside you.  When the alarm finally rings, I just want to pull the blankets up a bit further, just for a few extra minutes.

As tempting as it is to hit the snooze button or simply lie in bed listening to music, I know that the longer I procrastinate, the more harried my morning will become. I find it very stressful to be late, so there is some motivation to heed the alarm. As well, if I lie there for too long, I become almost immune to the sound of the radio. Suddenly I am dreaming about the news piece or song being broadcast. Besides, as I remind myself often, I enjoy what I do and I love the people I work with: the students, the parents and the staff. There are many blessings that await as the day unfolds, starting with a warm cup of tea.

It’s interesting to me that all this alarm angst is happening just as preparations for Advent are beginning. Many of the readings from the early part of this season speak of wakefulness. In the gospel of Mark, Jesus tells his disciples, “Stay awake, watch; for you do not know the hour when the time will come.” This is echoed in the letters of Paul: “Brother and Sisters, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake up from sleep. Salvation is near…”

God’s call to us can be like an alarm clock, telling us it is time to get up and follow him. It is tempting at times to hit the snooze button, as it may feel like we are not ready to commit to what is being asked of us. We may not be ready to give up our warm beds, our cozy life, and move into the light of day. Then, I think we run the risk of sleeping through, not hearing the call at all and missing our opportunity to live the life that we are meant for. It may not always be as comfortable, but we can’t live our life under the covers.

As we enter into this Advent, I want to use this time to listen for the alarm that God sends to me. Hopefully, I can throw off the covers and seize the day, both literally and figuratively. As well, I hope that this season provides you with an opportunity to reflect on the blessings that you and your family have, and the ways in which you may be called to wakefulness.

Have a blessed Advent!

Peace,

Christine McInnis