A few years ago, there was a show on Discovery called, “Naked and Afraid.” The premise of the show was quite simple: A couple is dropped in a remote wilderness location absolutely naked and without any supplies at all. They then have to make their way out, often confronting animals, hunger, thirst, and a number of other dangers. And, of course, you know these are real dangers because the background music is fit for a horror movie score. You also see them whispering softly into the camera about how scared they are. Of course, all of this is meant to elicit our sympathy and our loyalty. We have no choice but to watch the whole show until they make it out, always alive and well.

What makes me laugh about these shows is how “unreal” this supposed “reality” show is. This last week, as I was watching a re-run of this show, I remembered a personal story that happened many years ago. I was invited to a hike with a group of coworkers, and of course, all I brought with me was a bottle of water and a flashlight. I was not a hiker, and I did not know what to bring. On the other hand, my friend had a backpack filled with everything he would ever need should the Zombie Apocalypse arrive while we were out in the woods. From band aids to toilet tissue, from antibiotic ointment to enough batteries to light up a small town, and from spam and sardines to crackers and jellies. In fact, had I been given permission to inspect the backpack, I am sure I would have found a vial with the antidote for snake bites and the cure for Ebola. This is what real hikers do. They do not go into the wilderness “naked and afraid.” Rather, they prepare for the elements and for any emergency they might come across in the wilderness.

In the last of the five sermons that Matthew introduces into the framework of the Gospel of Mark, he gives as a number of parables that are original to him. The fifth sermon begins at Chapter 24:45. The verse before reads as follows, “Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (24:44.) Then, almost as a way of illustrating what this “Be prepared” or “Be awake” means, Matthew gives us his last speech. This speech has four different parables, all of which share the same structure: They all have a master, bridegroom, or king who is coming to his land, his wedding party, or his kingdom. In each case, there are workers, servants, or maids whose job it is to prepare for his coming. In each case the Master, bridegroom, or ruler is delayed. In each case he arrives at an unexpected hour to find some of the slaves, servants, or maids ready and prepared for his coming, and some totally unprepared. In each case, the prepared servants are rewarded, and the unprepared servants are punished, often by being banished from the kingdom in anguish. The unprepared people in the parables are like the characters in “Naked and Afraid,” lacking even the most basic provisions to offer the Master the hospitality he deserves. They are also empty-handed and unable to offer the Master the return on investment he expected from them upon his return.

We are about to enter a season of preparation for the birth of Messiah. On November 28, on the First Sunday of Advent, Luke will also remind us to stay alert. He uses images different than Matthew, but he also tells us that Christ’s return will happen at an unexpected hour, and for this reason, we must be prepared. "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

We must be ready because the return of Jesus, the King, will be marked by judgement over sin and redemption for those who repent. On Advent One, the Lectionary will give us Luke’s warnings about Jesus return before he retells us the stories of Jesus’ first coming. In a way, he starts at the end. On Advent Two, on December 5, the Lectionary will give us Luke’s introduction of John the Baptist who is “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’” On Advent Three, on December 12, Luke will give us a more detailed version of John’s ministry and his invitation to “Bear fruits worthy of repentance.” On Advent Four, December 19, Luke will tell us about the encounter between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, which gives rise to that amazing hymn we call “The Magnificat.” As soon as Elizabeth saw Mary, she exclaimed, “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

All of these invitations to be alert, to prepare the way for the Lord, to bear fruits worthy of repentance, and to believe in the fulfilment of God’s promises are similar to Matthew’s invitations to be ready, be alert, and be watchful. Advent is derived from the Latin word Adventus. This word was used to describe the official arrival of the emperor to one of his cities. There were hundreds of actions city officials needed to do to prepare for the adventus of the emperor. Failure to properly prepare could be seen as disloyalty and even treason, which was punished by death. This is what both Matthew and Luke are telling us. We must prepare for the adventus of our king, by producing fruits worthy of repentance in our hearts, and by believing in the ultimate fulfilment of what God has promised us in Holy Scripture.

I encourage you to prepare for the coming of the baby Jesus by reflecting on the many ways in which he has already come into your life and the lives of your family. As we prepare to remember his birth, let us prepare for his ultimate coming at the end of days. He will come at an unexpected time, and he wants to find us busy building his kingdom. He wants dividends for his investment in us. These dividends are a more just and loving world, which starts in our own homes and expands from there.

May God give us such passion for his Gospel and such love towards him and others that we may reflect God’s radical love for the world in everything we say and do. In his name, we pray. Amen!