Honest Advent: Day 9

December 09, 2022, By: Jimmy Scruggs

Day 9: Omega

“I am the Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come – the Almighty One.” Revelation 1:8

I’ll just admit it: this chapter is a rough one. (No offense, Mr. Erickson, if you’re reading this.) Come on, end-times? Death? Isn’t this an Advent book? Excuse me while I scroll Instagram for a hot minute…

When I start thinking about cosmic realities, my brain usually shuts down somewhere between ultimate resurrection and apocalyptic destiny. It just doesn’t compute, stuck in my nitty gritty reality of goldfish crackers, orthodontist appointments and endless laundry.

But it’s true that the Christmas story—the sweet little Jesus boy born in a manger story—doesn’t end with Jesus, Mary and Joseph in a cozy nativity scene with wisemen and shepherds and animals and angels somehow all present and happy and squished in together. Rather, as Erickson points out, Jesus’ entrance on the scene announces God’s endgame: the ultimate restoration of all things. And as a follower of Jesus who is attempting to walk a peacemaking path, this endgame matters in my everyday, normal, goldfishy life.

I am part of this story. My kids are part of this story. Our church community is part of this story. My life and my legacy (death) are even now contributing to the Alpha-Omega reality of God’s restoring work on this earth. I am a drop in the cosmic river of life.

(And I’m going to go take a nap now.)

—Keah Redder