Advent, the season of preparation for Christmas, always begins with readings about the end of the world. Unsettling images of violence and war. Danger and upheaval all around. Even creation is in the midst of turmoil. So much for peace on earth.
Every year, these images and dangers seem to be reflected in the news reports we’ve heard recently and the challenges facing our world. No wonder we are uneasy: terrible things are always unfolding. At any given time, someone’s world is coming to an end. Violence and hatred. Earthquakes and floods. Uncertainty and unrest. Political upheaval. Broken hearts and broken lives. Whether on a cosmic scale, a global scale, or a personal scale, disaster and tragedy is widespread and persistent. But that is not the whole story.
This difficult world is exactly the world that God comes into. God shows up in places we might least expect. God is present even where there is war, violence and murder. God’s love stands in contrast with the cruelty, betrayal and insensitivity in the world. God’s faithfulness stands against disaster, disease and death.
God is here. Bringing light into darkness. Bringing hope into despair. Bringing new life into what may look like nothing more than disaster and loss.
May the life and hope and light of Advent fill you.
May your pain and fear and burdens dissolve in the love and care of God.
May the light of this season shine in contrast to the night of fear and death.
May you notice God’s presence around and within you, today and always.
Peace,
weekly prayer | Jesus talks about signs and difficult times in Luke 21