Time to Watch

Because the Gospel for the upcoming First Sunday of Advent repeats the word watch (or its variant) a few times, it made me think of an old parlor game. In this activity, the host would ask a volunteer to take off his or her watch and give it to a volunteer observer to hold. Ostensibly, the observer’s task was to look at the watch as the watch’s owner was asked a series of questions about the watch. Questions were asked about the color of the watch’s face, whether it had Arabic or Roman Numerals, how many number appeared, whether there was a sweep second hand, what brand name or logo appeared on the watch, and if the watch include calendar day and/or month. After each question, the observer was asked if the owner had answered correctly. Once the owner was complimented for answering so many questions correctly, or more likely, having been sufficiently embarrassed for getting so many wrong, the watch was returned. The host then turned to the observer and asked him or her what time it was. Most often this observer, who spent so much time intently looking at the watch, could not correctly give the correct time. The observer had been subtly misdirected. The observer watched but did not consciously see.
As we enter Advent, if we are not careful, our attentions and intentions may be subtly misdirected. It is easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of the season. Christmas shopping for family and friends is a wonderful thing, as is strengthening and building enduring relationships during holiday parties.

Think of how much greater value such activities can have, however,
if we take the time to watch for and make sure that we truly see not only Christ’s presence,
but his presents -his gifts of life, time, mercy, love, and redemption.
Watch how the season of Advent can be a time to pre-pare,
to cut down to the essentials,
to focus on doing things
that ensure that Christ may not only be born in our hearts,
but be borne in our hearts –
so that others see us carrying and spreading
the joy of the Gospel.

Watching is not a passive activity. It requires conscious consistent action and effort on our part. Just watch carefully this Advent and see what can happen.

-Jim Gase