“John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the desert:“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Luke 3:4-6

This passage in Isaiah, along with the second reading from Philippians today, are two of my most cherished Scriptures. There is so much hope in them, such vivid expression of the profound and permanent change the life of Christ brings to the world. “Every valley shall be filled…the winding roads made straight.” Christ is the remedy to all of our chaos. Paul also reminds us that “he who began a good work in you will be faithful to perfect it.” This means whatever chaos you find yourself in, whether you feel lost in the valley or dry in the desert he is not finished with you yet! He called you to motherhood and that was only the beginning. He will not leave you incomplete in your perfection. He longs to make the rough ways smooth. As Paul reminds us, he longs to see your love increase “ever more and more” so that you can truly “discern what is of value” (Phil 1:5, 6). Surrender to his perfect will and rest in the hope that his work is perfect and it will be made perfect in you.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for never giving up on me; thank you for coming to make straight the path and clear away the chaos of this world. This Advent help me to fully surrender to the continuation of the work you began in me. Draw me and my family into a deeper place with you, and help us to truly live in the hope of our salvation.