December 2, 2025

Jesus speaks of upheaval: wars, famines, earthquakes—things falling apart. But he names these not as the end, but as birth pangs. Advent situates us in a world where distress and hope coexist. Jesus does not deny suffering; he reframes it. Something new is being born, even in the shaking. When we face uncertainty or fear, Jesus invites us to lift our eyes beyond the immediate crisis to the deeper story God is telling.

Mary’s encounter with Gabriel mirrors this dynamic. She hears “Do not be afraid” exactly when she has every reason to fear. God interrupts her ordinary life with an impossible promise. Yet Mary’s “Let it be with me according to your word” becomes the doorway through which Christ enters the world. Advent invites us into that same courageous surrender.

Reflection Question:
What in your life feels like “birth pangs”—unsettling but maybe opening a door for something new God is doing?