Second Sunday in Advent (2022)

The second candle - the Love Candle. 

(Yeah, I know that different places say different things for each of the 4 candles, but go with me on this one, ok?) 

Love ... this is easy, right? We know about this, we love others, there's nothing to talk about here, right? Our world is full of love! Our songs are full of love! All stories end with love, right? We can see it by looking at ourselves and those we love, right? What else is there to say? I could end this here, right? 

Well, for many, this is not easy. For many, they are empty words that don't mean much. People can say "I love you" but we know that is conditional, that love often doesn't last forever. I have gone to weddings where once the couple professes to love each other ... and now, today, the hatred is palpable. There are people in my realm that have said 'I love you' and they are now gone. That 'love' was conditional and when it was no longer convenient, they withdrew that love and walked out. So, for those who believe in God ... isn't there a chance that God might be like that, too? I mean, so many talk about "if you do A, then God will love you, but if you do B, then you are damned to hell", right? If we sin, if we don't accept Christ, if we kill, if we divorce, if we love someone of the same sex ... and on and on and on. There's always that pit opening to hell right in front of us that we could find ourselves in if we do B. Even the love of God is conditional, right? 

I admit I have long struggled with this. And, often I 'fear' accidentally doing B without knowing it, and then find myself falling down that pit to hell. I fear that I might become evil and wicked and not even realize I've become that which I fear. 

If I may ... let me share thoughts on where I've come to on this path. And it starts with this candle. This candle of love. 

You see - let's go back to the beginning. God made many covenants with the Nation of Israel. And, a covenant is much more than a promise. Or a symbol. 

A quick search online reveals: a covenant is a relationship between two partners who make binding promises to each other and work together to reach a common goal. These binding promises have no end. That is understood. They are for all of eternity. No ifs, ands, buts, or maybes. They're often accompanied by oaths, signs, and ceremonies. They define obligations and commitments but are different from a contract because they are relational and personal. Did I mention the end date? There is no end to this covenant - it is for all of time. No exceptions. 

God made seven covenants with Israel - and it would be interesting to examine this term and each covenant more, but here, I will focus on only one. The Davidic Covenant. See 2 Samuel 7 for the whole thing. Specifically, verse 12: For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. (There is more in there that would take more to write on, but suffice it here for now.) Remember: A covenant is about a promise where two parties commit to each other for all of time and it's about a relationship. 

Now, I might not be considered part of the House of Israel, but I do believe this promise, this covenant is for all of God's creation, not just Israel. Why? Because of what comes in the New Testament. The Old Testament (story of God and Israel) is not the ending, not for those who call themselves Christians. That is "Part 1" (if you will) - there is a "Part 2" ... and, dare I say it? I think there is a "Part 3" as well. 

Back to the topic ... love. This covenant that God made with Israel comes from a place of love. Of God's love. And, when God goes silent, when there are no prophets for over 400 years, it would be easy to think that He has withdrawn his love. That's a long time. The human thing to do would be to think "now what?" or "God doesn't love us anymore" or "see, God's just like everybody else!". And then ... hundreds of years later, after many had likely given up, along comes a simple teenager who gets a visit from God's messenger (not even going to go into what must have gone through her head!) and ... everything shifts.

Lo and behold - God did not forget about His people, God did not stop loving them. God was just waiting for the right time. And, what's more, they did not fall down that pit. I love how the Message paraphrases what John 1:14 says: The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish." This covenant so long ago, this written word in their religious texts was manifested in God's moving into the neighbourhood. And ... what's more ... (John 3:16) God so loved His Creation that He sent His Son to redeem it. All of it. And, I would also say, not just those who are His Chosen. Because I believe God 'chooses' everyone - we are all created in God's image. (The whole concept of Hell is for another writing, not for this one. This one starts on that premise of this candle - Love.) 

I think something happens when we experience a love that is beyond human comprehension. I think we are changed in a radical and supernatural way. It shifts something inside of us and it changes how we view ourselves and the world we are in. That's what this love offers. We don't deserve it, we don't ask for it, we don't even truly understand it. But every year, at this time, we get to reflect on it and maybe get a little closer to it, and then share this love with ourselves and those around us. 

Martin Luther, the father of the Reformation, was noted for saying something to a buddy. Melanchthon, who was caught up in 'navel-gazing' and fear of what if he did something wrong and lost God's salvation. (Notice a similarity to my above comments?) Luther, not noted for his patience, responded: "Esto peccator et pecca fortiter! Sed fortius fide et gaude in Christo!" Translation? "Be a sinner and sin bravely. But more bravely, have faith ad rejoice in Christ." It goes on to include ... "it's (salvation) outside of you and already done for you." Already done for you. A gift, a free gift - with no strings attached. I ask - how could this be without the concept of love? a supernatural and other-worldly love? without that covenant that comes to us new every year in the form of a helpless infant? I don't get it ... but I do believe it. This is a love that is beyond what I have experienced and what I know.

So, I continue to 'sin bravely' because I believe it's already been done for me. I believe I am loved beyond anything humanity can understand. I trust it; I trust God. And because of this, I am changed inside, and ... with God's help ... I can change the way I engage with the world around me. I heard an Advent message today: "Life is hard, but love minimizes the scar tissue in our lives. God's love in Christ redeems the scars altogether." What an incredible gift! 

At this Christmas time, when it can be hard for a lot of people, myself included, this promise, this covenant God made - with his people and with me - gives me Hope. I trust in His Covenant. 

(If you're wondering about my Part 1, 2, and 3 comments above, I'll expand on that at a later time. Watch for it.) 

Maybe there is a bit more to think about on love. 

Emmanuel - God is with us. Amen.