This Sunday is “Love” Sunday – the fourth Sunday of Advent.
We’ve been reminded of the Hope, Peace and Joy that comes with anticipating the birth of Jesus; and now we sit in awe that God’s love for us is so deep and so unending that we are offered the Holy in flesh and blood in the form of a child to show us the way.
If only we would follow. How many times do we need to be reminded or shown to trust in the power of accepting God’s love and following God’s will for our lives (instead of trying to figure it out all on our own)?
Sometimes I wonder if we just stop looking for any signs from God because in our impatience, we usually make half decent decisions. So, maybe we can just accept what we’ve got and not hope or expect for much more.
Ahaz, the king of Judah (who we will learn more about this Sunday) faced pressure from competing kingdoms. Isaiah asked him to trust in God’s love and to live into the covenant God made with humanity. But Ahaz wanted help right away, a tangible sign he could recognize, that was useful. Without that he might as well just figure it out on his own.
Aren’t we lucky, then, that we have an unmistakable sign? Every Christmas – without fail – we witness God – the Word made flesh – born in the baby Jesus. A sign that God is with us.
See you Sunday.
Julie