Love That Calls You Back

This is the Second Sunday of Advent, the season of preparation for the feast of Christmas. Advent reminds us that, while we mark the birth of Jesus Christ in history, we are still waiting for the fulfillment of Christ’s reign. So while the sentimental celebration of the Bethlehem Babe is well and good, and the cultural celebration of gift giving and feasting is fine (for those who can afford it), Christmas marks the beginning of God’s invasion of the Earth to reclaim it from the powers of evil and oppression.

Last week we talked about the hope of Advent and the often hard-to-see signs of Christ’s reign breaking into the world. This second week we will focus on love, the love of God in Christ, and how that love reshapes our identities to be ready for Christ’s kingdom. This is especially true in our Christian baptism. These themes arise as we read from Paul’s letter to the Philippians and from Luke’s account of the ministry of John the Baptist. No reindeer or elves or shopping or decorations here. It’s just God and our hearts.