As I get older, it seems like less and less time passes between each Christmas. Sometimes in June, I find myself thinking--I'm already half-way to Christmas! And after the school year starts in September, it seems like no time at all until we come to this great celebration of our Savior's birth.

In Minnesota, it's easy to know when Christmas is coming--not only from all the commercialism and mall decorations, but also from the change of weather. It just doesn't seem like Christmas unless there's snow on the ground and a bit of a nip in the air.

In this Luke passage, Jesus is telling his disciples, who are with him for his first coming, of a sign when the new kingdom will be ushered in when he returns to earth. His word is reliable--even though heaven and earth may pass--Jesus' word never passes away.

Some may have lost a loved one this past year, and are facing Christmas with one less face around the dinner table or Christmas tree. Time may pass, loved ones may leave us, but Jesus is always with us, and will return one day in glory. May you find great comfort in that fact this holy season.