“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away” (Lk. 21:33, CEB)

     The Gospel of Luke’s text sits at the heart of the creation story. The earth and heaven may go, but God’s majesty, a constant transformative force, will move over the chaos and create beauty. I see this type of interaction with the Divine in my life. Everything seems to fall into the abyss, and when I feel all is lost, hope steps in and restores my soul.

     In this text, Jesus’ point is clear. He will never leave us, even in the worst of circumstances. He acknowledges that situations consistently change, and we wonder, “How in the world did we wind up here?” In the darkest times, we must remember that we are not alone. The Heavenly One remains with us, offering ways to reclaim our true selves.

     We are the sons and daughters of the Most High God. As such, the darkness never swallows us up. Our relationship with our Abba (Daddy) rescues us in our hour of need. He reminds us, “Now when these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because redemption is near” (Lk. 21:28). Emmanuel is with us, lighting our path to help us when we fall.

     Friends, stay alert and remain faithful. Do not allow darkness to overwhelm us, for we know who we belong to. God is with us, even in the worst circumstances, and He will turn chaos into beauty if we stay out of his way and let him work. Let this Advent Season remind us that God never forgets us, even when all seems silent.

     May the light of Christ overwhelm you as you continue your spiritual journey through the season of Advent, a time of preparation and waiting for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.