#AdventWord #Awake #警醒

‘And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’ Mark 13:37

‘The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids (Matthew 25: 1-13) emphasizes the importance of staying spiritually vigilant. In the parable, all the bridesmaids fall asleep; but at midnight, when the bridegroom comes, only the wise bridesmaids are prepared to receive him with oil in their lamps.

On the night of December 24, Jesus arrives. Although our traditions may include preparations such as food and gifts, I do not think God is really interested in the best meal or the perfect gift. The oil that Jesus wants to see in our Advent lamps relates to actions more than things: the way we treat the cashier at the store; the time we spend serving others; our penchant for practicing hospitality.

During this Advent, what actions could become spiritual oil for your Christmas lights?’ (Hugo Olaiz)

Keeping awake and vigilant is very important in Qingtiangang 擎天崗 area of Yangmingshan, where the grazing water buffalo and Tajima cattle occasionally cause trouble for visitors, hence these cattle safety bollards. Hope I never need to use them!

Taipei Grand Trail 臺北大縱走 Section 3 擎天崗 Qingtiangang