I’m not from a tradition of Advent. I’m from a tradition that looks at the words of Jesus in Matthew 24 and says, “We could disappear at any time, so don’t be doing things that you would want Jesus to catch you doing.”

There is an element of truth, of course, but it’s not a very encouraging way to live. It’s a “don’t get caught” way of thinking, a “look out” rather than a “look forward” way of living.

When Jesus talks about being ready, we could say, “You don’t know when he is coming. ...