Store Christmas decorations and TV commercials and online specials have been pushing Christmas since those Jack-o-lanterns were still flickering. But for the church, the official preparation time for Christmas starts this Sunday, the first Sunday of Advent.

Thus it might seem strange that the gospel text for this week has Jesus speaking about events and images that sound “end-of-the world” scary instead of “beginning of Christmastime” festive. But for Christians Advent isn’t just about preparing for a 12-day season of presents and feasting and family time.

For Christians, Advent is about once again taking special care to prepare our hearts and minds, our souls and bodies for celebrating an event that changed the world. Not only the world, but the lives of all people since that first Ch…