It’s time to get ready.

In the weeks since the presidential election, acts of intolerance have increased. Stories of racism, bigotry, misogyny, xenophobia, and homophobia now appear in the news with disturbing frequency. In Massachusetts, we like to think that such things could never happen here. And yet someone spray painted racist graffiti on the top of Mt. Tom in Easthampton. The mayor of Holyoke received threatening and homophobic letters in the mail. And one of our own choir members was subjected to harassment and hate speech.

It’s happening here.

Just after the election, many people started wearing safety pins to identify themselves as “safe.” A pin identifies someone who will not judge others, regardless of race, nationality, sexuality, or gender identity. It identifies someone who is willing to stand up to acts of intolerance and offer protection to the victims. Sadly, this turned out to be just a fad. The safety pins went back in drawers as people became complacent. People started accepting the new normal, despite how awful that “normal” is turning out to be.

For Christians, Advent is a time for getting ready. It’s a time to prepare ourselves. We prepare for the birth of Christ, and we gird ourselves for the extra commitments and added stress of the Christmas season. But in a broader sense we prepare ourselves and the world for the second coming of the Messiah. We are called to be watchful and ready. And yet in January we become complacent again. We go back to our normal everyday lives until the following December.

I urge you not to become complacent about acts of intolerance. Be watchful and remain so. Denounce acts of intolerance. Give protection and support and love to those who need it most. Donate to organizations that combat intolerance.

Are you ready?