"We do not preach only one coming of Christ, but a second as well, much more glorious than the first. The first coming was marked by patience; the second will bring the crown of a divine kingdom. In general, what relates to our Lord Jesus Christ has two aspects. There is a birth from God before the ages, and a birth from a virgin at the fullness of time. There is a hidden coming, like that of rain on fleece, and a coming before all eyes, still in the future. At the first coming he was wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. At his second coming he will be clothed in light as in a garment. In the first coming he endured the cross, despising the shame; in the second coming he will be in glory, escorted by an army of angels. We look then beyond the first coming and await the second."(St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechese 15:1-3)

How attentive are we to this second coming of Christ? How prepared are we for this second coming? It is as distant and as imminent as death. As we are not to fear death, so we are not to fear his coming in glory at the moment of our death. If we are not preparing ourselves in the present moment for that eventuality, not in fear but in expectation of seeing Jesus face to face, then he may come when we least expect. Advent is our yearly reminder of this mystery of faith and certainty of fact.