Advent: Love Has Come

"Love has come

For the world to know,

As the wise men knew

Such a long time ago.

And I believe that angels sang

That hope had begun,

When the God of Glory,

Who is full of mercy,

Sent His Son."

Today is the second Sunday of Advent, and if you attend a church that is using an Advent wreath then today they will light the candle of love. (I love my church, but they don't do a Advent wreath. In fact, they seldom mention Advent. Uh-oh- I feel a rant coming on! We attend a very "non-traditional church" and I love many of the things they do in worship. The music, the message, the dramas and the technology all help make it a large growing church that preaches the gospel and serves the community in the name of Jesus. But in their attempts to be "non-traditional" they often eliminate tradition completely. Not only just Advent, but this year I am still waiting to hear about Lent, and Pentecost as well. It wouldn't hurt to say the Lord's Prayer or the Apostle's Creed on occasion. Some old hymns were better in their original arrangements. And Moses H. Cone, could we just sing a normal Christmas carol at least once this year? Thus endeth the rant...and by the way I am to be at church today!) You have no doubt heard it said that love came down at Christmas time. The lyrics from the song Love Has Come at the top of this page, written by Amy Grant, tell a similar story. Scripture tells the story in a most familiar yet meaningful verse: "For God so loved the world that He sent his only Son..." Let there be no doubt- God's love has a name, and that name is Jesus.

So as you prepare your heart for the coming of the Christ-child this Christmas season, remember that love has come. Show grace and forgiveness to those around you. Find a way to show love to those who are hurting, under-resourced or different. And take time each day to thank God for the love He has shown you in sending Jesus to bridge the gap between our sinful nature and his perfect peace. Make this Christmas season one of true expectation, remembering that the coming of Christ changed the world. We are called by the Babe of Bethlehem to do the same in our world...

My Deliverer is Coming,