This week's gospel text encompasses several different pericopes. Yet all are concerned with the preparations we should be "observing" (i.e. not "watching" but personally participating in) as the time for Jesus' arrival approaches. While we generally think of Advent as a period for preparing to celebrate Christ's birth, it is fitting that we contemplate the larger picture - what does it mean for the Son of God to enter into this world?

The first pericope from the gospel text (Luke 21:25-28) confronts that very issue. Jesus is describing the exterior events which will accompany the approach of a new time - the time of the Son of Man. Creation too, Jesus insists, will participate in preparing for his coming, and like a good sailor we should be able to read these signs. The sun, stars and moon…