Shopping early or late

Jesus, help me prepare for Christmas and you in the same way: by being prepared. Amen!

Jesus told a crowd, "The end of the world is going to catch you by surprise, just like the flood caught everyone but Noah, who had built his ark. If two people are working or making bread, one will be taken to heaven; the other will be left. So, be ready, because you don't know when the end of the world is coming."

Why do people do Christmas shopping so early? If you're a kid, you like having extra time to get excited about Christmas; but some adults in your life are probably stressed out about getting their shopping done in time. They hear a Christmas song in November and groan!

For all the people who Christmas shop early, a lot wait until the last minute. That's why malls are full just before the holiday: People seem to be caught off-guard when Christmas finally arrives.

This week's Gospel (Matthew 24:37-44) talks about being caught off-guard, but not by Christmas. Jesus talks about the end of the world, which could also come when we least expect it!

People who Christmas shop (or make their gifts) early are either very organized or they just don't like the crowds in malls right before Christmas. They say, "It's good to prepare."

Jesus would agree: In the Gospel story, He warns people to be good, because someday, at the end of the world, He'll come back. Whenever that day comes, He wants people to be ready to go to heaven.

People who shop at the last minute often don't have a clue what to buy or make. Sometimes, they come up with great ideas in the nick of time -- but, often, they struggle.

While it's not important when you shop, it's nice to give people something meaningful, like a drawing you made just for them.

We don't know when the end of the world is coming, but we can still prepare. Like good Christmas shoppers, we can think about what gifts Jesus might want from us, and try to have them prepared when the big day arrives!