I heard this countless times during my time in the Army. It comes from the idea that when an
infantryman first takes a position on the battlefield, he immediately digs into the ground to create
a barrier between himself and the danger in front of him. At first, it may be just a few inches
down, just enough to put some precious earth between himself and life-ending disaster. The
longer he’s in that position, he digs further down to make more cover. Longer still, and he is able
to stand up in it as he watches the front line. He adds branches and leaves for camouflage. He
expands it so his buddy can be in the same spot, so they can take turns watching and resting.
Et cetera, et cetera.
As a saying, the phrase has expanded in meaning to cover an entire approach to how to work
and live. It means that you need to always keep improving the situation that you are in and
maintain your readiness to face any eventuality. And you do so with the understanding that you
never know how long you’ll be in your current situation.
I admit that this is a very odd way to start out a bulletin article on the First Sunday in Advent.
Advent is a time to build up joy! Christmas is coming! The nativity scene and “Silent Night”! Why
in the world am I talking about foxholes?
Advent is all about preparation. It is about looking forward to a momentous event. But today’s
scripture readings do not hint at anything about that blessed night in Bethlehem. Far from it.
Isaiah presents to us a vision of the triumph of God’s Kingdom reigning in all men’s hearts, a
day when all people from every nation are united in their worship of the one, true God. They are
at peace with each other because they have accepted the Lord as the one true teacher and
judge of their lives.
This is not a prophecy about Christmas, but one of the Last Day. Indeed, today’s Gospel is
Christ Himself preaching about being ready for His own coming on the Last Day. He tells us to
be ready for it at any moment, because we do not know when it will arrive. Paul writes the
Romans and gets into specifics about how to prepare for that day. He instructs the early
Christians to avoid vice and put on the armor of light and virtue, for “the night is advanced, the
day is at hand”.
Prepare. Prepare.
Advent is a time to remember this admonishment, for the Incarnation of the Son of God is the
moment the final act of the history of salvation began. And the birth of Jesus is the moment that
mankind can witness Him in the very flesh. It is a breathtaking and earth-shattering moment of
joy when God Himself enters the world to teach us how to prepare for our hearts for our own
last day.
And how much preparation is there to do! The world is full of ache and worry. Conflict with
others constantly beset us. Our own weakness and brokenness provide us with never-ending
sources of frustration and discouragement.
But the day of glory is coming for those who respond to God’s call to climb His mountain with
perseverance and hope on that long journey.
Persevere. Persevere.
Keep going. Keep your ears open to His Word and your hearts to His grace. Keep preparing.
Stay close to the Sacraments. Stay close to His Heart. Get up when you fall down and keep
letting the Lord work on you. Keep watch against the enemy of your heart. Old challenges will
fade as we stay close to him, but new ones will replace them as we follow His Will.
The day is coming.
In four weeks, the choirs of angels will sing in Bethlehem, just as they will when we join the Lord
at throne on our last day.
Keep improving your foxhole.