Saturday and Sunday, December 15 and 16, 2018

I will plant them upon their land, and they shall never again be plucked up out of the land that I have given them, says the Lord your God.
Amos 9:15

Immigrants know the powerlessness that comes with being uprooted. The critically ill, uprooted from tranquility know of powerlessness too. Likewise: the child abused by a trusted adult; the worker who learns of the plant closing; the adolescent hooked by opioid abuse. Life can be uprooted by devastating circumstances. It is easy to give up in disgust.

Our strength wears down in the face circumstances that take away peace, joy, justice, and hope. Our relationships suffer, our sense of purpose fades, and our will to live is damaged. Compassionate words from those we love cannot always overcome the pain that strikes so deeply.

More than simply a period of time meant for quietly awaiting the festival of the Nativity, Advent offers the disquieted a disciplined reminder that God keeps God’s promise to enter into the lives of the uprooted for the sake of the healing of the world.

The Advent word of God expressed by the prophet Amos is especially directed at the uprooted. The prophet proclaims God’s promise to securely plant those who have been uprooted. Trees, or flowers, or shrubs once planted are given place, given nourishment, given future.

The dawning of the one who brings God’s place, nourishment, and future to all is near. Amos proclaims that this one offers as well God’s peace, joy, justice, and hope to the uprooted. Come, Lord Jesus.

Steadfast Lord, in times of turmoil in our lives, let us never forget your promises. Amen.

The Rev. Dr. Samuel R. Zeiser is Bishop, Northeastern PA Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

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