Luke 21:25-33

“People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” vs. 26

During the last month or so it’s not been unusual for people to express concern about what is coming next for our world. Some would even say that we’re living in apocalyptic times. Nations are streamlining their supplies of atomic weapons and developing even more sophisticated means of delivering them. Incredible advances have been made in AI and even those involved in its development are expressing concerns about what could happen if advancements continue without controls. And even as climate scientists are raising alarms about the disasters that could occur if the temperatures continue to rise, folks in our congress don’t even act concerned. It seems that the potential of massive profits is driving most of our decisions. And most of us are powerless to do anything but wait to see what is going to happen. Are the doomsayers right? Or is the future bright for planet Earth? As Luke recounted the words of Jesus regarding an uncertain future, he urged his readers to hang on to hope. “The kingdom of God is near,” he said, and sought to bring them comfort. Perhaps it would be well for us to hang on to those words and hold them close as we move into the season of Advent. We don’t know what is going to happen! But as we wait and watch, there’s nothing to keep us from hoping.

Thought for the Day: What does Advent mean to me?