Homily for Advent, Nine Lessons and Carols 12/21/08
Advent means coming, and during this season, as we hang garlands of greenery and light candles, we make preparations for the arrival of love. The infant Jesus was born into a very dark world, darker even than ours seems to us today. The Palestine of 2000 years ago was a place oppressed by a ruthless Empire and marked by savage inequalities. In that place and time, women and children had no rights at all. Yet, the Almighty God chose a young woman and her child as the instruments of his entry into the world. And so we say, “Love came down at Christmas.”
How do we recognize love when we encounter it? Love is lovable. Who can resist showing love to a little baby? Love is humble, born to a poor family. It doesn’t call attention to itself, and yet humble love has a mighty way of attracting others --like shepherds and wise kings. Love is vulnerable, seemingly powerless, but it is strong enough to crack the coldest hearts and to move armies and nations in support of righteous causes. Love is innocent, free of sin and guilt and yet freely forgiving the sins of others. Born into darkness, Love is light, a light that drives away fear and spreads its blessing equally to all. Like the tiniest of candles in a vast dark room, even the smallest act of kindness is a redeeming expression of love to someone sorely in need of love. Like light, Love is endless and cannot be conquered by darkness. The invincibility of love is proven every time we share love’s light with others.
The Lord and his Light be with you this day and always....
Susan Hull
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