If we’ve been living Advent with interest, we’ve probably prepared the nativity scene (minus the Christ child), prepared Advent candles, listened attentively to the readings and beautiful liturgical prayers at Mass, and perhaps taken a little extra time for spiritual reading and retreat, in order to prepare ourselves to celebrate Christ’s birth at Christmas.

Today’s second Advent tip is simply to call to mind that we aren’t just preparing with expectation for Christmas but also for Jesus’ coming again in glory. We don’t know the day or the hour. It could be tonight; it could be tomorrow; it could be in ten thousand years; we could still be numbered among the first Christians. But he will come again, and it’s good to remind ourselves to look forward to that event as much as we look forward to Christmas.