The season of Advent calls us to to stay awake, ready and prepared for the Lord's coming whenever that may be. Advent is not so much about preparing for Jesus' first coming (his birth), but rather is about being prepared for his second coming on the last day. Advent time concerns itself with past, present and future as we remember God's faithfulness in the past, receive God in Christ as he comes to us now, and rejoice in his promised coming again.