Redemption is Drawing Near (The First Sunday of Advent)

By Avery Davis Lamb

Luke 21:25-28
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. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

​Today is the start of the Advent Season. Together, we wait in eager expectation for the coming of the one through whom all was created and in whom all creation is held together.

Advent is a season of darkness. As creation adapts to shorter days and longer nights, our hearts do too. It is a season when we are invited to reflect on the darkness around us, of which there is plenty. At the end of a year of record-breaking temperatures and climate disasters -- distress from the roaring of the sea and the waves -- we ought to reflect and remember the communities who are impacted by the creation crisis. We need to look with clear vision at the reality of destruction that is around us and the way God’s creation is crying out.

In the midst of empire and oppression, we hold onto hope that our redeemer might be born in the midst of other creatures.

And yet, in the midst of the darkness, we await a single flame. In the midst of empire and oppression, we hold onto hope that our redeemer might be born in the midst of other creatures. The hope that redemption is drawing near.
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This advent season, we invite you to embrace the darkness. Feel the depth of despair that surrounds us. From that place, light a single flame and prepare your heart for the coming of Christ and the hope that possibly -- through our work and God’s grace -- this world might be redeemed and restored.

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Avery Davis Lamb is Co-Executive Director of Creation Justice Ministries