This week we celebrate the first weekend of Advent. The word ‘Advent’ means coming and this is the time of waiting expectantly for the ‘coming of Jesus’. If someone is coming to visit your home, how do you prepare? Do you: tidy your house, prepare a meal, make up the spare bed? It is easy to be prepared for a visitor when we know what time to expect them but what if someone arrives unexpectedly? Would you find yourself ready, would everything be in order? It is like that with the second coming of Jesus, only God knows when he shall come. In this week's gospel, we are reminded that we must stay awake and be ready for Jesus when he returns. What do you need to do to prepare for Jesus? Talk with your children about what we can do … it can be as simple as being nice to our siblings, helping out with jobs at home, giving to someone who needs it.