It’s only been about six weeks since Hurricane Helene destroyed much of Western North Carolina, which happens to be one of the largest producers of Christmas trees in the United States. The flooding forced Avery Farms, for example, to remove all 60,000 of its Christmas trees. But, Emily Belz reports, the farm is selling “hurricane trees,” which have long, exposed trunks due to removal of damaged branches.

“The Christmas season in North Carolina,” writes Belz, “is like those hurricane trees: celebrating the birth of Jesus, but with a lot of branches missing.”

Churches are doing all they can to cultivate hope in their North Carolina communities. From helping people find homes for the holidays to hosting Christmas boutiques where parents can “shop” for free gifts for their children, ministers and congregations are fostering joy in devastated communities. One pastor, Jeff Dowdy, is preaching from Isaiah this Advent and Christmas season, honoring his neighbors’ long years of recovery ahead as his sermons proclaim the Israelite’s longing for the Messiah.

As we prepare to celebrate the newborn king, may we remember that we serve a God who has never failed to bring light into the darkness—and who empowers us to encounter chaos as people of peace.