Advent Hope When all Hell Breaks Loose

 It will seem like all hell has broken loose—sun, moon, stars, earth, sea, in an uproar and everyone all over the world in a panic, the wind knocked out of them by the threat of doom, the powers-that-be quaking.

                                                          Luke 21:25-26 The Message

"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves.

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

                                                                 Luke 21:25-26 NRSV

Trenton United Church decided to offer occasional Sunday morning services for those who are reluctant to attend worship alongside those who may be unvaccinated (there isn't a proof of vaccination requirement at TUC.) I volunteered to preside at some of those services and I'm first up to bat at 9 AM tomorrow. I hadn't realized when I offered that this first service in the day would be at such an ungodly hour, but we are early risers. 

I like the beginning of Advent and the theme for this Sunday which is Hope. Often the readings appear to be less than hopeful, either saying "wait for it" or downright gloomy, at least as they begin. The gospel lesson for Advent 1 is an example. Fainting for fear because all hell has broken loose doesn't exactly set a hopeful tone. 

Once again I've been reminded that Christian hope in not the same as optimism. Through the centuries the "signs of the times" have been bleak and Christ's people have been encouraged to hold on, even though it may be by their fingernails 

During the pandemic most of the people I know have tried to receive the gift of God's hope as well as practicing hope as a spirtual discipline. Our Advent Hope Sunday will be a sort of booster shot for the spirit, whether we're eligible for the other booster shot or not.  

Jesus goes on in the Luke passage to remind us that after Winter comes the promise of Spring, so we need to be alert and to keep our heads high. 

Now, about that Omicron variant...we'll find our way through this, by the grace of God.