Advent has always begun in places of disruption. The Gospel of Luke tells the story of Mary and Joseph being uprooted by a government census, traveling an estimated ninety miles at an inconvenient moment in their lives.

   That holy journey has been on my mind, especially as I have taken on a personal challenge to walk those same ninety miles during the Advent season - now down to about eighty-two. This practice has reminded me that even when paths are uneven and schedules are unsettled, grace often emerges through the very interruptions we try to avoid.

   As the road outside our doors is made smoother, Advent invites a similar inner work. Road construction may be inconvenient, but it also offers a visible sign of renewal and preparation.

     The season calls the community to watch for how the Holy One arrives not in perfect conditions, but in the middle of real life - dust, detours, and all.